2 Pancras Square

Reimagination of a 2014 building on Pancras Square for The King’s Cross Group, repositioning the workplace to enhance identity and prioritise health, wellbeing and sociability.

Client The King's Cross Group
Sector Workplace
Size 1,405m²
Location King’s Cross, London

2 Pancras Square was an exciting opportunity to show how carefully considered architectural interventions can positively affect workplace behaviour.

Although the existing building was only 10 years old, a lot had changed in terms of tenant expectations and workplace culture. The reception sequence lacked character and clarity, and an existing 625sqm rooftop was failing to attract people due to exposed seating areas overlooked by neighbouring buildings.

The King’s Cross Group’s brief was to enhance the building’s identity and improve workspace experience by creating a more enjoyable series of amenity spaces with a focus on health, wellbeing and sociability.

Our designs created various opportunities away from office floors to access nature and wellbeing activities, offering multiple ways for people to connect and recharge.

A striking entrance, welcoming common areas, high quality end of trip facilities and a 625m² landscaped rooftop garden combined to create a distinctive identity with generous, flexible spaces.

Reconfigured entrance area

James Ball, Senior Investment Asset Manager, Related Argent
‘Fathom transformed the common parts, adding character and warmth to end of trip facilities, the entrance lobby and rooftop. 2 Pancras Square has a refreshed identity and appeal reflective of the quality of workspaces at King’s Cross and we’re extremely pleased with the result.’

Welcoming nature inside

New connections between the workspace entrance and Pancras Square gardens are created by replacing existing cluttered windows with large, openable sliding units.

In addition to new window openings connecting to Pancras Square gardens – allowing fresh air to flow through the reception spaces – the building entrance colonnade is softened with a vertical planted wall and a suspended artwork by Mamou-Mani.

Inside, a palette of natural materials and lush greenery set the tone for a welcoming and relaxed area for interaction, with various touch-down spaces for building occupiers and guests.

Floor finishes in terrazzo and reclaimed parquet denote circulation routes and places to congregate. Planted beds organically wrap around the reception, carving out three pockets of space for informal meetings and comfortable areas for waiting guests or social gatherings.

Reconfiguration of the reception layout subtly directs people towards a previously underused staircase to encourage active circulation, as well as the main lift lobby.

On the rear wall of the entrance space, an illuminated parametric artwork by Mamou-Mani presents a gentle series of waves creating ripples through the space.

An urban rooftop sanctuary

A 625m² re-landscaped rooftop terrace encourages people away from office floors to connect with nature, by providing outdoor space supporting a wider variety of activities.

Subtly zoned with a mixture of built-in and loose furniture, our rooftop layouts consider different ways people may want to spend time away from their desks including quiet space for individuals, social areas for lunchtime gatherings and larger events or open space providing opportunities for exercise.

A flexible kitchen and dining area with a moveable canopy provides a focal point for small to large groups, and can be fully opened or closed for catered events.

Inviting and social rooftop spaces

Working with collaborators EStudio Mix and Willerby Landscapes on a planting strategy, the varied biodiversity of the terrace provides trees, planted beds and wildflower areas to offer a year-round series of inviting natural environments for people and pollinators.

Social and secluded areas

Supporting active lifestyles

An existing warren of basement spaces lacked clarity and quality for active workers and commuters.

We rationalised lower ground floor amenities to enhance the experience of active commuters – improving wayfinding, increasing shower and locker provision, maximising secure cycle storage and upgrading changing rooms.

End of trip facilities

Within the changing and shower areas, we created an elevated experience in line with other shared spaces within the building.

Bespoke oak veneer lockers, changing benches and towel storage are offset with pale terrazzo flooring extending from the changing rooms into showers and WCs.

Every inch of space was used so that we were able to offer individual changing rooms with a shower, sink, mirror, bin, clothes hook and bench.

Credits

Architect Fathom Architects
Interior Design Fathom Architects
Project Manager Gardiner & Theobald
Contractor Verity Interiors
Structure London Structures Lab
Services Scotch Partners
Lighting Design Studio 29
Interior Planting Lease a Leaf
Rooftop Planting Mix Paisaje
Photography Gareth Gardner / John Sturrock

Project Information

Credits