Renowned for delivering world-class business education, groundbreaking research, and practical insights, Bayes Business School embodies a commitment to continuous improvement encapsulated in its ethos: “always curious, always bold, always learning…” As a division of City, University of London, Bayes Business School stands out as a premier global institution in the heart of London, located amidst the historic and dynamic surroundings of Finsbury Square.

Finsbury Square, with its rich historical significance and modern vitality, has evolved from a fashionable residential area into a bustling business district. Surrounded by iconic office buildings and headquarters of leading companies, it serves as a vibrant hub for business and finance. professionals.Inspired by the school’s dedication to setting new benchmarks in modern teaching standards, Showcase PSR secured a landmark project in June 2022 to redesign the teaching, lounge, and working areas across the expansive seven floors. This initiative achieved a remarkable 93% score in the tender process, underscoring Bayes Business School’s commitment to maintaining its status as a leader in global business education while coordinating with its prestigious surroundings. 

Scope

The team understood from the outset the significance of the project, fitting out a substantial area of a historically charged building with a brief to modernise the facility. This only fuelled their enthusiasm and confidence, determined to exceed and uphold the project’s standards. In response to delays from COVID-19, Bayes Business School swiftly acted, placing a £260,000 order just two days after finalising the contract. Since then, multiple collaborations, overseen by four main contracts managers at City, University of London and external managers, have resulted in orders from eight different buyers within the institution.

Services

The broad project scope called for the implementation of an extensive range of areas to cater to the diverse needs of its users, such as exclusive executive lounge areas, teaching spaces, dining areas, collaborative zones, breakout spaces, and digital consultation rooms. The team, in collaboration with Shaw Studios, embraced the multifaceted project. Both parties merged to efficiently distribute vast tasks of design, product development, and specification services.

Services included selecting robust, stylish furniture that prioritised comfort, style, well-being, and sustainability. The use of an in-house design team maximised space to create versatile environments for learning and work, catering to hot desking and quiet study needs, aiming to enhance staff and student well-being and promote long-term retention.

A variety of furniture was specially selected to complement the individual needs of each floor, featuring products from leading manufacturers such as Boss, Vitra, Brunner, Narbutas, Chairplan, Orangebox, and Icons of Denmark. The furniture selection process was handled with confidence, ensuring spaces were filled with high-quality, long-lasting, and functional furniture that left a lasting impression.

In the teaching areas, the emphasis was on flexibility, with recommendations for tables and chairs on castors, allowing for easy reconfiguration as needed. The staff lounge areas were thoughtfully designed to accommodate work, video calls, and meetings, featuring cozy pods and comfortable spaces set apart from desks. Additionally, movable planters were strategically placed to redefine adjacent teaching spaces with a concertina wall, enhancing the adaptability of these areas for various interactions and gatherings.

The staff areas received a contemporary upgrade with new desking and Boss pods, tailored to meet their evolving needs. In a unique twist, the client insisted on integrating sprinklers into the pods to ensure full compliance with fire safety regulations. Every tailored product was handpicked to perfectly align with the client’s precise requirements, guaranteeing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
The integration of interior design with product development proved pivotal, blending colours and styles to align with the building’s architectural aesthetics. Throughout the project, continuous consultation with the client was upheld, aiming not only to meet but to exceed their expectations at every step of the way.

Challenges Faced

Despite delays in the construction program, the Showcase PSR team was able to navigate between fitting out a building amidst ongoing construction and accommodating its use as an occupied teaching environment. This resulted in a polished space that catered to the diverse needs of various user groups.

The solutions are tailored to the ever-evolving dynamics of the building while preserving its rich culture and heritage, infusing it with modern functionalities and design.

Success Points

Showcase PSR achieved a seamless balance of tradition and modernity at Bayes Business School, effectively blending the institution’s prestigious history with contemporary standards, ensuring both functionality and aesthetic integrity.

In the reception area, a redesign was orchestrated to alleviate congestion. This initiative not only enhanced traffic flow but also contributed to the entrance’s overall efficiency and charm.

Despite delays in the construction program, Showcase PSR demonstrated flexibility by swiftly adapting to last-minute adjustments, ensuring products were safely stored and delivered on time to meet the client’s requirements.

A testament to the strong collaboration maintained throughout the project, the team collaborated closely with the client to handpick fabrics for high-traffic areas. They opted for durable materials with an impressive 10-year guarantee, surpassing the typical 5-year manufacturer warranty. This commitment not only ensures longevity and customer satisfaction but also enhances the overall user experience, upholding the school’s esteemed standards.

Sustainability and cost efficiency were paramount throughout the refurbishment process. Rather than buying new ones, Showcase PSR supported the university’s wishes to refurbish 150 operators’ chairs, completing the task within a few weeks alongside room redecoration.

The seamless coordination among the client, designers, and architects ensured precise colour matching for elements like tabletops, preserving the space’s aesthetic integrity and maintaining the building’s prestigious image.

Reflection

Showcase PSR Portsdown executed Bayes Business School’s brief with precision and dedication, matching modern functionality with the institution’s historic prestige. The team’s collaborative commitment to sustainability and meticulous attention to detail ensured every aspect of the project surpassed initial requirements, reinforcing the school’s ethos, “always curious, always bold, always learning…”