The project was part of the bank’s ‘Premises Transformation Programme’, which involves significant investment in the existing building’s infrastructure to improve the workplace environment and support business operations. Delivery being across three major locations and affecting 6000 staff.

For the initial phase, the bank commissioned us to work collaboratively with the company’s leaders, employees and other stakeholders on an Exec Co paper, which allowed us to translate the Bank’s organisational challenges into a viable strategy to demonstrate the delivery of a highly functional, optimised working environment.

As a result, Helen and her team were appointed for the next phase – the strip out and complete re-modelling of the Manchester Balloon Street site, which is The Co-operative Bank’s head office. Design work was completed in 2017

This was a multi-faceted project, however the overarching goal was to create a more flexible and future proofed environment for staff; one that would be collaborative, inspiring and supports the strategic objectives of the Bank.

The work involved maximising the use of space, improving employee flow around the eight-storey building. One of the key requisites for this project was to develop an approach to the design that mirrors and embraces The Co-operative Bank’s ethical and social values.