HKR Interior Architecture
HKR Interior Architecture
HKR Interior Architecture
Interior Architecture
Mixed Use Offices Residential Retail Masterplanning & Urban Design Hotels & Resorts Education Health Interior Architecture
At HKR the focus of interior architecture is to understand the clients brand, image and culture and to translate these into a place that is grounded in commercial reality and designed to support the clients strategies.
Dr Sandra OConnell Editor, Architecture Ireland
HKR Architects is an international architecture and design practice with offices in Dublin, London, Manchester, Belfast, Prague and Bucharest. HKRs portfolio of projects spans several sectors mixed use, offices, residential, retail, hotels & resorts, education and health. The practice has dedicated capabilities in masterplanning & urban design and in Public Private Partnership projects. It also specialises in the design and fitout of interiors for all types of buildings. HKR has been designing buildings and environments since 1992 and has gained award-winning status internationally, providing design-led solutions that are functional and commercial, and highly specific to clients needs.
Interior Architecture
Interior Architecture
At HKR we have a dynamic and creative team of interior designers who provide the very best design solutions for our clients.
Our Interior Architecture philosophy is simple. We believe that the internal environment is key to achieving a successful building and ultimately a successful business. Understanding the client is paramount to the way we design. We recognise the importance of creating an interior that responds to a business vision, culture and values, and that connects with the people who use it. Our Interior Architecuture professionals offer expertise in three key sectors Workplace, Retail and Hospitality. As the workplace becomes less formal, highly flexible and more about choice, and the hotel and home increasingly need the ability to support work, life and leisure time, there is a lifestyle model that is rapidly changing. Interior Architecture at HKR is able to deliver projects that respond and drive this ever changing landscape.
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Key Services
Our Interior Architecture team offers clients a wide ranging design service.
We have in-depth expertise in the Workplace, Retail and Hospitality sectors. We recognise that our practice of design and architecture is a collaborative process, where we work in partnership with our clients.
We help our clients create better environments by offering the following core services: Due diligence & building acquisition Client briefing Interior design/architecture FF&E design Space analysis & workplace strategy Post occupancy Branding
Design Principles
Our designers have a wide range of experience in engaging with client teams and user groups to deliver exciting, informed and accountable solutions. We draw upon our experience to make the delivery of a building as simple, professional and involving as we can for the clients.
Our designers deliver environments of the future. We set out below the fundamental points we look at on each of our projects, whether it be for a headquarters building, a hotel or a retail outlet the same principles apply. To produce an elegant concept We turn the brief into an elegant concept which is both architectural and commercially robust; ambitious, desirable and deliverable in equal measures. Clarity of form and function without architectural gesture will lead to an exciting and sustainable proposal. We believe that it is important to constantly test and refine the essential components of our interior concepts through our technical understanding. To produce an efficient building Any interior commission must maximise the chosen buildings envelope. We aim to maximise the usable floor area available.
Our designers are often called upon to help improve the architectural envelope and enhance it to better suit the needs of the occupier. We draw upon our experience of architectural commissions to produce spaces which are an efficient interpretation of the organisations physical requirements. A complete synthesis of structure, services and workspace Modern interiors and the buildings they occupy are becoming increasingly complex and flexible. The trend is for the complexities to continue to grow. The last decade has seen a profound change in the demands occupiers place upon the spaces with which they work. A thorough understanding of modern building systems is essential, from structural principles through to the building fabric and their seamless integration. This allows us to control capital costs, costs in use and to anticipate the changing nature of the workplace. A holistic view of the buildings engineering system and the spaces they serve is essential on every project.
Sustainability HKR recognises the importance of sustainability, not just for the environment, but also for the often forgotten angle of social sustainability. We aim to work with the client team and work within their budget to produce an environment which enhances the daily lives of its workforce whilst minimising its impact on the external world. Listen This is the true starting point to all projects. To produce a successful interior we must first understand the what, who and why a new interior is required. We recognise the importance of empowering the client to hear their views, their desires and their vision for the organisation. We are designers and we understand the best brief comes from the client and the entire organisation.
At HKR we understand how crucial it is for any organisation to create a work space that responds to the ever-changing needs of its work force and the demands of increased costs for property and facilities. Our team has an excellent track record of creating advanced working strategies for different clients, both in the public and private sectors. The work place strategy should meet your organisation objectives and have a direct and measurable effect on your business performance, culture and quality of work life. Through analysis and evaluation we are able to advise on working environments which integrate people, work flow process, property and technology to enhance business performance. The work place strategy sets a framework to align your property requirements to your organisation objectives.
Ground Floor
Staff arrival Client arrival Staff workspace Staff post & print room Staff deli Staff shower
Seventh Floor
Shared reception Lifts for clients and staff Client workspace Staff workspace Typical floor uses
Space Planning
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These workstations are designated team positions for people who spend the majority of their time in the office. In this diagram the workstations are larger to reflect the amount of time spent in the office, however this will also depend on the type of role carried out by each person.
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HKRs advanced work place strategy allows organisations to space plan their office more efficiently. The traditional office design allows one desk per person. Our studies show that in most cases around 40% of desks are empty at any one time. This inefficient planning strategy is both costly for accommodation and limiting in terms of expansion and growth. By profiling the people who use the space, an organisation can tailor the work space to suit the requirements of individuals. People who are out and about can share desk space, whilst those who are more resident have permanent positions. Providing more touch-down space and meeting pods will help people work in different ways, not only at their desk. Again this work pattern has long lasting benefits to any organisations property strategy.
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" This area is a non-designated non-team specific touch-down area. It could be used for group work, 1:1 meetings, internal meetings or breakout space, as well as touch-down desks. People working in this area would use a centralised area for storage and would have the use of a laptop and mobile phone.
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The table/desking system will differ from the designated and non-designated workstations. The benefit of this space is that people who spend the majority of their working week in the office Residents and Team Leaders can use it when it is not in use by Jet Setters and Flexible Characters.
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# These are two non-designated quiet rooms for private 1:1 discussions, private telephone
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Workplace
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Hibernian Insurance
HKR Architects completed the interior fitout of the new corporate headquarters for Hibernian Insurance. The 200,000 sq ft project was the largest office fitout in Dublin in 2006. From brief to completion in just 14 months, facilities at the new headquarters include a 250 seat restaurant, coffee bars,
broker meeting rooms, business lounge and reception areas, open-plan working environments with juice bars, a gym and a client entertainment suite. The outcome is an impressive headquarters with a premium bespoke interior, specifically tailored to Hibernians changing needs.
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Design Brief Hibernian undertook a property review which found that operations were dispersed across many dated facilities throughout Dublin city. HKRs brief was to bring all the existing facilities together within a new building in the centre of Dublin and provide a centrally visible modern headquarters which facilitated the ongoing growth and continuous change through the use and layout of its premises. The key driver for the interior of the headquarters was to have a place of work which would foster, reflect and enhance the many cultural changes that Hibernian has recently gone through whilst offering highly flexible space on each of the buildings seven floors. The interior design needed to reflect Hibernians modern, flexible and efficient business whilst still recognising its historical Irish roots. The overall building needed to enhance the daily lives of those who use the building, both workers and visitors. Also, the internal space needed to be designed to reward and encourage interaction.
01 Interior detail 02 Staff and client breakout areas 03 Informal meeting space
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Design Solution Our client was concerned about staff interaction and connectivity when the floor plates of two adjoining blocks were joined to provide a single space of approximately 27,000 sq ft per floor. Additionally, of primary concern was the traditionally high cost of providing for churn in the office environment. HKR Architects took both these important brief requirements and provided an integrated design solution that satisfies both. We introduced a generous street that runs from the front to rear of the building, parallel to the west boundary of the site. At nearly 100 feet long, it provides a visual link between different parts of the floor plate. Running along either side of the street are buildings in a building which are set out on a 2m module. Lighting, power data and HVAC are set out on this module as are sound baffles in the floor and ceiling voids. We adapted a proprietary partition system to sit in the module providing cellular spaces of 2, 4 and 6m x 4m that are designated as 1 to 1, 8 & 12 person meeting rooms respectively. Director offices are also designed to sit in the 6 x 4m module. Thus the building perimeter is left free of cellular interruption.
Partitions along the street are glazed full height as are the opposing walls opening on to the main office spaces. Cross walls are solid and comprise standard depth or 0.8m deep intelligent walls that house technical equipment for the larger rooms. The intelligent walls are constructed in such a way that modular tiles can be changed to entrance accessories or finishes depending on the room designation. Social spaces in the form of coffee, copying, informal meeting spaces are inserted along the street between the buildings and provide for informal and formal interaction that help build the team.
The modular nature of the planning grid and services layout provide an infrastructure that allows the end user to reorganise space literally overnight with no necessity to enter the floor or ceiling void. Services can simply be adapted to cater for altered room configuration by the building management system. In essence, the need for disruptive and costly demolition or alterations to services is eliminated and, in all this, a pleasant, comfortable and flexible working environment is provided that will meet the ever-changing organisational needs of the client.
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Freetrade Exchange
This recently completed project has become a landmark conversion of a historic warehouse into a commercial office space in the centre of Manchester. The challenge in converting this building into a state-ofthe-art commercial office space was to retain all the character and charm of the existing build whilst making it relevant to the demanding occupiers needs. This meant not only completely reworking the building to improve grades of space and the infrastructure but also creating the building brand in its own right in order for it to appeal to the image-conscious financial and professional services sector.
As with many historic buildings within Manchester city centre, the existing building, known as Harvester House, was virtually a no-go area for anyone who is mobility impaired. HKR was tasked with overcoming a rise of over 1.3 meters from street level to the base of building circulation within a zone only 2.2 metres deep. One of the key strategies taken by our designers was to move the entrance away from its original location and make use of the original carriage entrance. This simple yet significant move enabled the building and its users to circulate through a purpose built reception space and ascend the half level to the original vertical circulation route in style, irrespective of disability.
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Arthur Cox
Arthur Cox, one of Irelands leading law firms, appointed HKR in 2007 to develop a strategic brief to assist in their search for a new headquarters building that would reflect and enhance their corporate image, culture and values. Our team worked closely with Arthur Cox in the form of interviews, visioning workshops, benchmarking tours and reports to develop a strategic brief that informed their ideal building. In tandem with this important exercise, HKR was also engaged to refurbish and extend the client facilities in Arthur Coxs existing premises. We used the information gathered during the strategic briefing stages to inform our design, taking cognisance of operational issues as well as providing a space that reflects the culture and values of the organisation.
A new client reception, suite of meeting rooms and large conferencing areas were provided along with upgraded catering facilities. A restrained palette of understated quality materials was used to visually enhance the spaces, as well as making them suitable as a working environment. A rigorous and accountable process of furniture selection was undertaken to ensure suitability for heavy working use and to meet aesthetic, programme and cost parameters. The result is a bright contemporary series of spaces that are understated and elegant in their appearance and this reflects the aspirations of the client and meets the requirements of the brief, which was to test strategies, materials and furniture for the new headquarters building.
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Ministry of Defence
HKR is designing the new interior fitout for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) at Walker House in Liverpool. In response to the clients requirements, HKRs proposals for the 70,000 sq ft office include flexible space which embraces informal staff breakout areas, meeting points and an open-plan workspace for 600 staff. The four floors of tenant space also comprise a reception area, training suite and a considerable IT data centre which serves the organisation on a global scale.
The design concept of Air, Land and Sea has been devised to enrich the interior experience allowing for branding and way-finding opportunities to weave through with the architectural forms. This concept has been elaborated to contrast a bold and graphical scheme with a simple palette of materials, providing a bright and functional design scheme that responds to the future business requirements and aspirations of the MoD.
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01 Ground floor signing details 02 Public areas 03 Reception and entrance lobby
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Max Europe
HKR has recently completed Max Europes new headquarters facility in Dublin. This is HKRs second fitout for Max Europe and we are delighted to have delivered another world-class facility to support their business requirements. Our clients brief was to design an office space that would act both as a front of house client-facing facility and also as a space to support the different business strands within the organisation. The fitout comprises a unique reception space that acts as a stunning foil to the restrained offices beyond. A separate meeting suite is housed on an adjacent floor with meeting rooms grouped around a communal breakout area that is complete with soft seating and a sleek coffee bar.
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The design philosophy for this fitout takes its cue from the architecture of the building in which it sits. The sharp angles and deconstructed nature of the wall construction in the main public area grow out of a double height entrance space that appears to take an angled bite out of the footplate of the building. What appears to be a complicated series of planes that flow from this bite is in fact simply detailed and finished so that it connects with the office spaces in a comfortable yet dynamic manner. Monolithic finishes in the form of a poured resin floor, an expanse of black back-painted glass and polished plaster surfaces enhance the edgy contemporary feel of the space.
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myBRO
Nikal commissioned HKR to explore a concept of improving office provisions for small scale companies. Small offices are generally only available in expensive serviced premises which are often of a lower image than the occupier would desire. Our client was keen to provide a real alternative with attractive benefits. HKRs analysis of the market identified that small companies wanted to improve quality of life at work irrespective of location. HKRs proposals demonstrate that by sharing front of house facilities, such as reception, meeting and breakout spaces, the small business owner does not have to compromise on image, and can in turn present the perception of being bigger than they actually were. Additional benefits of providing an investment vehicle, a mouldable environment and being located within a shared neighbourhood of likeminded businesses will help enhance a clients market position.
Nikal has purchased various sites in which to fully realise the brand. The first is a 600,000 fitout on Market Street, Altrincham, with over 8,600 sq ft of lettable space, which is now in the process of delivery on site. The Market Street project consists of landscaped gardens, concierge service, meeting rooms, and twelve purchasable suites each delivered to the highest of design standards. The Market Street design draws upon the brand and the aspiration of Boutique Hotel Chic to create its unique angle on office living which makes the decision to own a suite both a head and heart one.
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Walker House
HKRs brief from the client UK Land & Property was to refurbish and restore Walker House into 220,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation within the existing listed faade of this building. An analysis of the existing buildings infrastructure highlighted the two key challenges as improving the vertical circulation and the lift traffic through the building. HKRs design overcomes these challenges and will provide increased flexibility to sub-divide the floors, allowing for either large open-plan occupancy or smaller cellular offices and meeting room suites. Walker House is to be transformed into a flexible modern building.
Retail
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The environment is created through the use of translucent graphic sheets that penetrate the space from which the O2 message is communicated in a unique and highly dynamic fashion. The colours used throughout are the O2 palette, incorporating the master brand blue while allowing new suggestions with experiments in browns, coffees and greens. The concept demands that the lighting be ambient whilst also highlighting focus where necessary.
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This innovative concept store provides the customer with a total communication solution and a great place to shop, work, browse and engage.
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The interior design for the Blacktie Concept Store was developed with the client to ensure HKRs unique understanding of Blackties core brand offer, supported by the complementary well established brand of Henry Jermyn. Being a premier tailored shirt brand, Henry Jermyn brings with it a special luxury that requires a particular style of retail design. The bright and exciting retail solution, featuring a transparent glass staircase, presents the customer with a dynamic retail experience where they have visibility through the mirror panelled stairwell to the decadent male grooming bar, additional product offerings, and lavish fitting rooms below.
The waxed ebony timber finishes contrast with the subtle tones and sensitive textures of the fabric, wall and floor coverings and this in turn communicates a confidence and style expected of such a premier retail environment.
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The scale of the space is cleverly augmented with the use of polished chrome and mirrors throughout, providing the customer with numerous opportunities to view not only the garments but also themselves from as many best vantage points as possible. The custom-designed store furniture in the form of service counters that provide combined counter store and display space, garment fixtures and fittings allow for best presentation of the product and demonstrate a sharp and clever approach to a utility requirement.
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The bright and exciting retail solution, featuring a transparent glass staircase, presents the customer with a dynamic retail experience.
Hospitality
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Kingswood Hotel
HKR Architects designed the Kingswood Hotel in West Dublin, which opened in early 2007. The interior architecture was also created and implemented by HKRs Interior Architecture team. This modern boutique hotel was designed to complement the Kingswood Farmhouse to which it is now attached. The restored Georgian farmhouse blends seamlessly with the vibrant modern building and the composition creates a diverse and dynamic setting for the 129-bedroom hotel.
The exising farmhouse and the new modern hotel extension are joined by a glazed corridor that provides a walk-way link. In the old house, the original features have been retained, including cornices, skirtings, window shutters and the main stairs. The restaurant benefits from a high-hipped ceiling that is highlighted with contemporary chandeliers and large shades.
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The focal point in the lobby is the 2.5m high hand-trufted rug on the wall. This is offset against crimson red aximinister carpet and contrasting light beige marble tiles. The meeting rooms are semi-open, built with full height glazed partitions. The bedroom corridors are bright and welcoming, and the guestrooms are uncluttered with a sense of freshness.
Extensive landscaping works have been undertaken. The bar and restaurant open out onto a sunken garden which includes fountains and outdoor seating. The garden is enclosed by mature trees and a rubble stone wall which was rebuilt from the stone of the original garden wall. In the interior of Kingswood Hotel, HKRs careful use of materials and confident detailing provides a high quality environment which belies its budget status. A seamless interface between the existing historic listed element of the building and the new bedrooms is achieved by creative attention to detail.
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Feature retro black and white wall coverings add to the drama and richness of each room in the old house whereas in the new extension, the colour palette is subtle and elegant. The ground floor bar is screened off by a series of feature full height copper metal meshes which gives an informal and yet intimate setting for people gathering.
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01 Bar seating detail 02 Exterior courtyard 03 Reception and waiting area 04 Dinning room
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In 2001 HKR Architects was appointed to extend and refurbish the landmark and heritage 5-star Shelbourne Hotel in the historic centre of Dublin, beside St Stephens Green. This was the first major remodelling of the property since 1860. With an 80 million revamp that blends classical elegance and new generation 5-star flourishes, The Shelbourne Hotel reopened in 2007 under the Marriott brand as a Renaissance Hotel. HKRs remodelling of the hotel, which has increased in size by over 67,000 sq ft to 240,000 sq ft, has greatly enhanced and expanded the functional elements while also retaining the essential spirit and atmosphere that makes The Shelbourne Hotel what it is.
HKRs redesign of the hotel involved extensive refurbishment of the existing public areas including restaurants, bars, health spa, conference facilities, the addition of a 7 storey 100 bedroom wing over two basement levels, and the construction of a new ballroom over a new basement, all within this protected structure. The total number of bedrooms and suites in the hotel is now 265. During the project programme, HKR evolved and expanded the design to include additional bedrooms, more basement areas, the layout for a new ballroom, and the lowering of existing basement levels to provide enhanced headroom. The scope of refurbishment in the existing heritage areas of the wing also increased to include the complete replacement of all electrical and mechanical systems in the hotel.
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Marriott Ashbourne
The Marriott Ashbourne, designed by HKR Architects, opened in 2007. This large 4-star hotel provides a new iconic gateway to the town of Ashbourne, Co Meath, north of Dublin. The hotel sits on an 8 acre site and is a standalone structure on this Greenfield site. The design of the Marriott Ashbourne is arranged around a spectacular central atrium providing a unique signature to this landmark building. The 160,000 sq ft hotel contains 148 bedrooms as well as bars, restaurants and extensive leisure facilities. The hotel design includes a six storey building a four storey bedroom block over a two storey base containing all public function areas. There are three bedroom wings, which are arranged in a pin-wheel configuration of finger blocks coming off the central atrium and stair/lift core. This allows for vertical circulation throughout the hotel.
The atrium commands a great presence in the centre of the hotel its angled geometry is a fitting centrepiece to the overall composition of the hotel.
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The atrium commands a great presence in the centre of the hotel its angled geometry is a fitting centrepiece to the overall composition of the hotel. The public facilities include function rooms, bars, restaurants and a leisure centre with swimming pool. There are over 8,500 sq ft of meeting space in the Business Centre, with 8 meeting rooms. There are also 325 surface car parking spaces. The hotel will draw its clientele from tourism and for the use of its conference and function room facilities, plus from the local population for membership of the swimming pool and fitness centre.
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Smithfield Hotel
HKR Architects designed the Smithfield Hotel, which opened in 2006. The interior architecture was also created and implemented by HKRs Interior Architecture team. The 100 bedroom hotel is being operated by Choice Hotels under their Comfort Inn brand. The client brief was to design a 4-star hotel on a 3-star budget. Careful detailing with confident use of materials and finishes provides a completed product that puts this particular budget hotel into the city centre boutique market.
Materials and finishes are cool, minimalist and contemporary, with stone floors, decorative glass and a carefully selected furniture package that provide a luxurious but serviceable environment. The success of the project is confirmed by Choice Hotels decision to use this hotel as a benchmark for all Choice Hotel interior fitouts going forward.
01 Reception 02 Restaurant
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