Skanska UK Headquarters, Leavesden Park,

Skanska, one of the world’s leading project development and construction groups based in Sweden, appointed JRA to develop the workplace strategy and interior design of an existing four storey building in Leavesden as their new UK HQ premises.

The client tasked JRA with designing a futureproofed central office with hybrid working and hotdesking models integrated throughout, using embedded technological solutions to support evolving ways of working. The result is a contemporary, wellbeing focused workplace catering for 600 employees across 19 operational divisions. Work settings have been organised around ‘homezones’ relative to each division and introduces a mix of agile spaces, including 50 meeting rooms, collaboration, library and training spaces. Alongside, JRA introduced dispersed breakout areas, wellbeing rooms and quiet space as opportunities to decompress.

Interior design choices have resulted in the creation of open and transparent collaboration spaces, encouraging employees to come together to share ideas. Introducing natural oak, earthy tones and extensive biophilia, we have created an environment that is the embodiment of Skanska’s brand values and its Swedish heritage, working with, rather than against the existing building.

Our team collaborated with Skanska by conducting 20 interviews with over 100 employees to define a strategic brief and liaised closely with a 7 person steering group to establish an ‘Emerging Vision’ that formed the basis for our designs.

JRA adapted an existing building in Leavesden to form the new offices. The reception area exemplifies JRA’s Skanska-centred approach. The space is comprised of a series of arches, referencing the shape as a pioneering development in engineering’s history and the brand adorns the wall using 3D backlit forms.

On the office floors, JRA organised the spaces into new ‘homezones’ or ‘neighbourhoods’ to facilitate employee communication within client and project teams. The 19 homezones provide a variety of work settings relative to each business group. In between these zones, JRA created a mix of agile and collaborative spaces including around 50 meeting rooms, collaboration centres, and training areas. The combination of formal and informal spaces cater to employee’s preferences and activities. These spaces encourage connection and idea sharing, promoting Skanska’s open and transparent working culture. The new building cultivates a sense of community centred on the company’s rich heritage.

Skanska’s HQ is designed to be inspiring. The company’s Scandinavian heritage influenced the palette of natural materials and earthy colour scheme, and the furniture selection acts as a showcase of the best of Scandinavian design. Skanska’s activities as a construction group also played a role, not just in the types of workspaces provided, but the inclusion of structural elements. For example, the arches symbolising engineering innovation and the pioneering cement-free concrete reception desk referencing the design developed for concrete structures by Pier Luigi Nervi in 1958, inspired by the leaves of the waterlily.

JRA created a wellbeing focused workspace for Skanska, following WELL principles throughout. The new headquarters needed to be designed for the future of post-pandemic working. JRA’s design aims to mirror the flexibility and comfort of working from home by providing a variety of dispersed breakout areas, wellbeing rooms and quiet space to rest and re-engage with colleagues. The team also championed biophilic elements to uplift user experience. Attractive and diverse potted plants feature in the reception and across the office floors. In the atrium, JRA created a spacious central hub with statement seating featuring a large tree at the centre and incorporated planting into dividers between different zones.

JRA’s work at Skanska’s HQ builds on the success of the team’s fit out of Skanska’s City of London office at 51 Moorgate. We undertook the base build, refurbishing the original 1980s building by creating new elevations and replacing obsolete building services. Internally, we fit out three storeys to be occupied by Skanska in close consultation with the client and the tenant steering committee. We introduced fully agile working to the office floors and incorporated PPE rooms, collaboration areas, and wayfinding and detailing inspired by the company’s branding. The office features living walls, break out spaces, dining areas, cycle facilities and kitchenettes on each floor, as well as a dedicated technology free ‘wellbeing room’. These spaces have been enhanced by the Scandinavian inspired natural colour palette and material choice.

The ground floor was designed with a new reception, including a double height living wall, a public café and retail amenities that helped transform the existing streetscape into a livelier, engaging space. The project received WELL Building Platinum Standard, Version Two, alongside BREEAM ‘Excellent’.

The completed Skanska UK HQ aligns with the client’s position as a low carbon leader. The reception area features the innovative 100% cement-free concrete (Cemfree) central desk, reflecting Skanska’s philosophy of responsible construction from the outset. Re-use was key to the sustainability of the overall fit out. JRA salvaged as much as possible from the existing Leavesden building. In total, JRA reused 80% of floor finishes and 30% of the furniture.