Mazars - Edinburgh

This project challenged us to create a workplace that not only fostered collaboration and a new way of working, but also provided a stunning "wow factor" for staff and clients alike. The brief was clear: the Edinburgh office needed to reflect the modern, collaborative environment found in Mazars' other locations, like London and Birmingham, while prioritising collaboration and touchdown spaces over traditional desk layouts. With the building holding a BREEAM Excellent rating, it was essential our project retained this level of sustainability and achieved it's own certification.

Our task was to work collaboratively with both the Mazars project team and the local Edinburgh team to provide a mutually agreeable environment. We needed to bridge the gap between traditional desk preferences and the desire for a more modern, flexible work environment that embraced touchdown areas and collaborative spaces.

Through a series of immersive design workshops and layout reviews with both sides of the Mazars team, we were able to deep-dive into the specific needs and workstyles of the Edinburgh staff. This resulted in optimising the desking area and maximising the space dedicated to collaboration, touchdown areas and meeting rooms.

Our design provides a seamless client journey and caters to a variety of work styles. A welcoming reception area featuring sliding-folding walls creates a smooth flow for arriving clients. A central coffee bar acts as a hub for collaboration, offering a casual space for colleague interactions. Exposed ceilings add an industrial touch and encourage a flow of natural light throughout the office, while bleacher seating provides the perfect location for company townhalls and large presentations. Dedicated areas are provided for teamwork, training sessions, and touchdown working, ensuring there's a space to suit every employee's needs.

With desks strategically placed along the perimeter for all to benefit from natural light, mood lighting created a central focal point for the all important arrival experience and client journey. We used bold colours that were consistent with the Mazars brand but also playful and inspiring. This colour scheme, along with design elements echoing other Mazars offices, fosters a sense of local identity while maintaining a connection to the global brand.
We are proud to have achieved a BREEAM Excellent certification for this project, demonstrating both Mazars' and our own commitment to sustainable practice.