Brightsolid HQ, 6 Chapel Place, London EC2 – Grade II listed

Client: DC Thomson & Co Ltd

JRA refurbished and fit out 6 Chapel Place for client D. C. Thomson, to become the first headquarters of their online publishing subsidiary Brightsolid. The Chapel is located in the South Shoreditch Conservation Area on Old Street.

The mid-nineteenth century chapel is grade II listed and following an unsympathetic change of use in the 1980s, JRA worked to restore the original qualities of the building whilst incorporating the high-tech facilities and design led aesthetic required by a young IT company.

By reintroducing elements of the early single void space via an atrium, JRA established a visual connection throughout the building. Technical challenges on the project were met by creating raised floors to conceal data and power cabling, bespoke lighting rafts and exposed air ducts at high level, and exposed concrete soffits. Alongside the blend of heritage and contemporary styles, the interior design was influenced by the company’s activities, mixing desk space, meeting rooms and breakout, featuring pops of colour and wall murals.