DRIVING THE FUTURE FOR GKN AUTOMOTIVE

Set foot through the space and you’ll notice that although the overall colour palette is dark and moody, natural materials and warmer colours through furnishings juxtapose this, creating a warm and welcoming environment. The bespoke slatted wall featuring GKN’s logo is a unique feature created between the client and Thirdways design and creative teams when tackling the challenge of how best to integrate branding without it being overbearing. The finished result (thanks to many hours of collaborative ideas) is powerful, sophisticated and seamlessly slots into the existing architecture.

Design inspiration was initially drawn from the geometry and beauty in the raw engineering components in GKN Automotives own product lines, tied in with industrial and contemporary interiors frequently seen in hotels and restaurants. With breakout spaces typically being the central hub of the modern workplace, this area especially needed to feel inspiring and show off GKN’s culture. Featuring a mixed use of space such as the booth seating and oversized lounge chairs – this area has the potential to function from day-to-night when required. Industrial elements typically spotted when sipping a Punk IPA in one of BrewDog’s bars was referenced for how the kitchen space could feel. We think this was perfectly executed, don’t you think?

Given that this would become a global headquarters, the boardroom was also a key feature that had to feel elevated from other meeting rooms and house longer sessions. The unique metal mesh feature wall links to the inspiration of raw engineering components and holds two large recessed screens to facilitate virtual meetings and presentations.

Wayfinding won’t be a problem for GKN staff with the dramatic, exposed black ceilings and track lighting that illuminates the corridors and beautifully interlinks areas. The large, floor-to-ceiling windows on the two external sides of the demise maximise natural light to both the brighter, covered ceiling and the dramatic, dark exposed parts.

Working pods are made up of three spacious desks with privacy divides, whilst moveable walls sit readily available to provide flexibility and privacy for hands-on meetings and collaborative sessions.

AUTHENTIC BRAND INTEGRATION

From the very beginning, GKN Automotive were collaborative and forward-thinking. It was this mindset that sparked a great working relationship and allowed both teams to explore the beauty of engineering by looking at their pieces as more than just parts, but things to be amazed by. Thirdways Creative team produced innovative ideas aplenty that were flexed and moulded until we found what was truly fit for both the space and the client.

The manifestations throughout the space heavily reflect their involvement with Formula-E races through the use of race tracks as design ideations, telling a story about their ties with racing legends. The mural in the breakout space takes centre stage, unearthing the beauty in the concept of engineering having manipulated both shapes and outlines from technical drawings of their own product lines to create blown up, abstract art.

Another part to the brief was to have a product showcase, but why make it your standard showcase when it could become a wow piece when walking into the space? We worked closely with GKN’s team to get CAD drawings of raw components to enable an artist to create 3D prints which were then artfully hung from the ceiling in reception. We understood the assignment.

As a partner of Jaguar TCS Racing and Formula-E – GKN are committed to driving the electric revolution and contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable world. Naturally, this meant that sustainability considerations played an important role with the project and resulted in Thirdway designing to achieve SKA Silver Accreditation.

This was achieved by designing the space to ensure natural light could be enjoyed to most of the space, a wellbeing/prayer room was factored into the floorplan and we assessed our supply chain to ensure we were contributing to a sustainable, circular economy that creates value for everyone, closes the loop on waste, preserves natural resources and reduces impact on climate change.

GKN Automotive are progressive and future-focussed (much like ourselves) which made for a dream process and outcome. The new workspace is now fit for global employees to visit and enjoy flexibly just as much as it’s set up for those who work there everyday, making it a perfect example of post-pandemic design.