The Acre

MSMR designed and delivered the new headquarters for Platform Associates and Northwood Investors within The Acre, Covent Garden. The project includes versatile shared amenity space and access to two generous roof terraces with panoramic views of the city skyline. The space occupies 9,000 sq ft of floor area on the sixth floor of the 1980s Brutalist landmark, originally designed by Richard Seifert, and successfully transformed by the same client.

The brief was to design contemporary workspace which meets the needs of both organisations whilst showcasing the flexibility of the building’s structure and base fitout. The design creates three principal zones; a shared reception and breakout space, an amenity lounge with a bookable boardroom, and a private workspace with dedicated meeting rooms. Articulating the interplay of old and new elements was a key objective and forms the basis of an architectural language that consolidates the space.

MSMR’s approach was to prioritise tenant interaction, user wellbeing and maximise natural light. The design works with the existing arrangement of concrete columns to lightly delineate spaces and playfully frame views. The varying column grids creates shifting, asymmetric axes and a subtle series of overlapping spaces. Primary workspace, meeting rooms and breakout areas occupy the larger spatial volumes, whilst call booths and intimate lounge seating are accommodated in the smaller spaces. Glazed screens and open joinery pieces are used to define and direct, creating permeable spaces that maximise natural light and views out onto the landscaped terraces.

Rough cast concrete columns are celebrated and accentuated by the introduction of toned plaster walls with soft curved forms. A restrained palette of natural timber and light carpet forms a continuous plane to the interlocking spaces and is punctuated by rich oak joinery and colourful fabrics.

The project was delivered in September 2025.