CLIENT
Hilti
DESIGN
tp bennett
LOCATION
Manchester, UK
COMPLETED
2022
In moving their North Europe HQ to innovation-hub Circle Square, manufacturer Hilti sought to create a dynamic new space for their team to thrive. TFP was appointed to help upgrade Hilti's previous offices, creating a collaborative, streamlined workspace that didn’t compromise on design.
Alongside their move to Circle Square, Hilti wanted the interior of their new offices to reflect their status as global industry leaders while creating an agile environment for their team to thrive. A bespoke mock-up involving over 50 pieces of furniture and five Hilti team tours across two locations allowed us to showcase our ideas and involve Hilti employees in the process.
Working with TP Bennett, we developed the furniture specification emphasising breakout areas to help elevate the space. 'Neighbourhoods' were designed for collaborative and independent work, with various group seating options, bespoke tables, generous tech areas, sit-stand desks and focus rooms.
Additional spaces, including wellbeing rooms, club space and a restaurant, were designed and furnished to enhance the employee experience, while muted tones and sleek materials gave the scheme a professional, sharp feel fit for a HQ.
It was essential that all furniture aligned with the 'Hilti 1-2-3' criteria: functional, sustainable and flexible (and within budget). An audit of Hilti Great Britain's previous offices allowed us to advise on furniture fit for reuse in their new space.
We ensured that all new furniture had sufficient sustainability credentials, helping the project secure BREEAM Excellent certification. Futureproofing was also critical for the client, meaning flexibility and durability of furniture took precedence.
With the project's course running over three lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic, we adapted our strategy and timeline to ensure things ran as smoothly as possible. We hosted virtual workshops throughout the process to prioritise the team's safety during covid.
Our foresight of supply-chain issues and shortage of raw materials prompted us to prolong our initial estimation for furniture production to 14 weeks, allowing for other areas of the project to be planned accordingly.
