Hammerson

AV Design Consultancy from project brief to detailed design supports the creation of an SKA Gold-rated, flexible workplace with a visual wow factor.

Technologies & Innovations

Satellite & IPTV;  AV Presentation and Control; Video Conferencing Systems; Unified Collaboration; Integration of AV systems with other meeting/conference/event systems; Video Wall and Large Scale Display systems including a Twitter Wall; Digital Signage.

The Client

Hammerson Plc (Hammerson) is a major British property development and investment company. It aims to create destinations that excite shoppers, attract and support retailers, reward investors and serve communities, focusing on prime regional shopping centres, convenient retail parks and premium designer outlet villages. Its strategy is to deliver industry leading shareholder returns by maximising income from its retail properties and development pipeline. Hammerson develops or acquires to create compelling retail properties in successful locations. Hammerson looks to maximise occupancy and footfall at its properties which supports its retail customers and enables the business to maximise income growth. It operates with a prudent and flexible finance structure.

The Team

Dixon Jones

Hammerson was relocating its London operations to a new headquarter building at 3 Kings Place, King’s Cross London. The move was an important part of the organisation’s brand strategy in that it would create a modern and agile workplace which places retail at its heart; marking the final part of its shift in becoming a purely retail-focussed property specialist.

Hammerson’s new brand identity is the visual manifestation of its continued focus on a strategic brand proposition which fits the Company’s strategic approach and is underpinned by its vision of creating leading retail destinations.

Hammerson’s reinvigorated brand would be showcased at the new 24,000 sq ft headquarters at Kings Place. The office would accommodate 150 people and see Hammerson become part of a vibrant central London hub, which has rapidly become a sought after spot for a range of international businesses, including fashion retailers and media companies.

David Atkins, CEO of Hammerson said:

“Over the last three years we have realigned our strategy to become the largest retail-focused property company in the UK, redefining the core of our business.  Combined with our move to Kings Place, this was the opportune time to reappraise the way we present Hammerson – both externally and internally – and to implement a new brand identity that embodies our retail DNA. Integral to our brand proposition is our focus on creating a consistent and engaging experience for customers and retailers across our portfolio, whilst maintaining the iconic status of our individual assets. This rebranding exercise marks the final strategic phase in our journey to become retail specialists and clearly defines what Hammerson stands for amongst our stakeholders.”

Cordless Consultants (Cordless) was engaged to provide AV Design Consultancy for the workplace relocation giving consideration to the AV, Multimedia and Video Conferencing technologies to be implemented in the Boardroom, 15 meeting rooms, focus areas, showcase area, and the reception area.

The AV Design for the Relocation was fast-tracked to be completed within a 6 month timeframe. The Cordless team worked quickly to understand Hammerson’s objectives and user requirements and help determine a Project Brief for the AV that was then translated into a Developed and Detailed Design. This could be then carried through to the Procurement and Fit-Out stages. Cordless assisted with the Technical Design and Specification for:

• Satellite and IPTV Distribution systems
• AV Presentation and Control Systems
• Video Conferencing Systems – including a review and report on the current systems that provide VC between the UK and France.
• Unified Collaboration systems
• Integration of AV systems with other meeting/conference/event systems such as lighting and blinds
• Video Wall and Large Scale Display systems including a Twitter Wall
• Digital Signage

Throughout the project, Cordless recognised the immersive and visual importance of AV to the user and visitor experience that Hammerson wanted to create in its new HQ.

The new office, which has achieved a SKA Gold rating, is now providing staff with a contemporary, modern and agile working environment that reflects Hammerson’s retail brand focus.

Ines Stanley, Programme Manager Office Relocations for Hammerson said: “I found the Cordless experience very professional and focused on the objectives we set out in the beginning. Having worked with Cordless in the past (and hopefully in the future) I always found the ideas generated as very innovative whilst also being open to other options and focused on delivering clients requirements.”

Dave Pratt, Group Infrastructure Manager for Hammerson said:“I found Cordless to be very knowledgeable and easy to get on with during our relocation project. The potential for what we can do with the new AV technology at our HQ is brilliant. When we show people around our new office, they are very impressed – and the AV has much to do with that wow factor. King’s Place now provides a completely different user experience as the technology has helped change our whole visual brand image and culture. I am very proud of what we have achieved.”