Case study: WD-40 New European Headquarters
Milton Keynes, UK
With employee wellbeing and a desire for a cohesive workspace at the heart of the Burtt-Jones & Brewer design for the new WD-40 office in Milton Keynes, USM Haller was the perfect choice of storage solution to help bring the design to life.
The bold colour choices of gentian blue and sunshine yellow USM Haller pays homage to the iconic WD-40 can design and gives the workplace design an instant symmetry with the WD-40 brand.
Spanning 24,000 square feet, the three-storey building, located in the urban centre of Milton Keynes, serves as the new European Headquarters for one of the most recognisable brands in the world.
Burtt-Jones & Brewer were tasked with creating a space for WD-40 that answered three key objectives. The first to create positive lasting memories; the second was to ensure the business collaborated naturally by removing barriers. The third was to create a workspace that would actively retain employees and a space so inspirational it would encourage growth and attract new talent from within Milton Keynes and beyond.
Working with fit-out specialists Collins Construction Ltd, the resulting design celebrates collaboration and provides a comfortable, positive workspace to support a healthy work-life balance, giving employees a choice of environments to work and relax in. The ground floor houses the staff canteen amongst other amenities, as well as ample breakout space which feeds into the reception and atrium. A central spiral staircase leads to the upper two floors which house the principal office workspace, with desks, meeting rooms and a variety of open and cellular work settings.
"WD-40 had a rare brief, with freehold occupation of their new EMEA HQ in Milton Keynes, they were looking for signature furniture that fitted their long term vision, products that could adapt to suit flexible and differing needs, which they couldn’t yet predict. A solution that reflected the iconic status of the WD-40 can and brand, imagined by engineers. USM is a similarly unique product, engineered with a form over function philosophy, with a similar integrity and commitment to WD-40 to long term, sustainable goals. Every so often, you find the perfect fit. USM fits seamlessly into the WD-40 workspace, perhaps the greatest possible compliment." - Adam Burtt-Jones of Burtt Jones & Brewer
The choice of blue and yellow USM storage units offers a bold pop of colour and takes centre stage in an otherwise muted colour palette. Located across the three-floors, the modular units support the flexible design of the space creating room division as well as providing ample storage space for the workforce. The versatile modular nature of USM means that it can be reconfigured if ever the needs of the company change.
The design scheme and fit-out has received industry praise and was recently shortlisted for a Regional BCO Award in the ‘fit out of workplace’ category.
Design colourful furniture for your office with the USM Haller system and our other furniture collections. To work on bespoke designs for your workplace with one of our experts, get in touch today.
Photographs: Nick Miners
