Francis House, London HQ

Edelman, a global communications firm, collaborated with Gensler to transform its London office into a curated workplace destination that embodies the firm’s values and brand. As part of a broader reimagining of its offices across the globe, the workspace sets the firm apart from its competitors and aims to transition both clients and employees into the next evolution of work.

Dubbed “Francis House,” the new creative office is the result of the adaptive reuse of a 1900s warehouse. Situated near its former office, Francis House uncovers and celebrates the existing structure’s nuances and inherent character while embracing functional additions to the floorplate. Gensler expanded the 35,000-square-foot space by 10,000 square feet, incorporating eight mezzanines, double-height ceilings, and spiral staircases for improved circulation and collaborative areas. The design reflects Edelman’s sustainability goals, utilising 15% of the building’s existing heritage and incorporating both repurposed and reupholstered furniture.

Intended as a home base that can serve a range of workstyles and event formats, the multimodal workplace offers high and low energy zones across five floors, which are dedicated yet flexible. The London office is designed to meet the workforce’s diverse needs, encourage serendipitous encounters, and cultivate a shared purpose among Edelman’s 700+ employees. It caters to the evolving work landscape with over 700 flexible seats and various seating typologies across twelve different zones, including a game room and spaces that support both group and solo work.

Alongside its commitment to its employees, Edelman’s clients also sit at the core of its business. Francis House fosters new ways for the firm to ideate and entertain its impressive roster of innovative clients. The new office boasts an entire floor that is dedicated to nurturing client relations by providing a space for clients to work for the day, either on their own or in collaboration with their Edelman teams.