British Council Wales commissioned Gaunt Francis Architects to design the fit out for their new offices in Central Cardiff. British Council Wales chose the location after GFA completed a separate commission to analyse all the top-grade commercial office space available for lease in the centre of Cardiff. This included the sustainability credentials of each building.
The new office was designed to be light, airy and contemporary. A restrained palette of colours was chosen for walls, ceilings, carpets and doors. Accent colours were provided by the carefully designed lighting scheme and the choice of furniture. Artwork and bespoke signage was incorporated into the scheme, acting as a showcase for British Council Wales’ projects.
The design accommodates innovative working patterns such as hot-desking with carefully designed storage. Moveable walls can be folded away to create open-plan spaces for events or exhibitions.
Close cooperation with the client and strong team relationships were critical in the implementation of the fit out. Gaunt Francis Architects were praised by the client at the opening event for their attention to detail and commitment to the project.