BUILT WITH:
UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP


Creating a collaborative, creative
workplace in King’s Cross.

Project Manager:

RAME CONSULTING

Architect:

MCFARLANE LATTER

Quantity Surveyor:

WHEELERS

M&E:

CROFTON CONSULTING

Form of Contract:

DESIGN & BUILD

Size:

177,000 SQ. FT

Programme Period:

33 WEEKS

The Universal Workplace and Studio Fit Out

Universal Music Group had a vision to bring together the music labels of Island, Polydor, Virgin, EMI, Decca, and their sister companies, under one roof.

Their new headquarters incorporates live, listening and recording facilities with exceptional recording facilities like the groups’ Abbey Road Studios. This enables diverse artists including Ellie Goulding, The Rolling Stones, Take That and U2 to use the facility. It was important to create a collaborative, creative and stimulating working environment with an urban feel whilst permitting each label to create their own identity.

Outstanding Acoustic Performance

High acoustic performance is critical for the recording, edit suites and the screening room. To achieve this, an acoustic floor was ‘floated’ on high performance acoustic isolation and the acoustic ceilings supported from spring isolators. The building and fit out meet BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ criteria, using innovative thermal mass for cooling and passive ventilation systems to contribute to energy efficiency.

Dynamic Change Process

Timing constraints meant BW worked with a changing design during the preconstruction period. BW provided a transparent change process together with live cost reports.

Fit-Out Facts

  • High quality Cat B fit out of over 11 floors for 1600 staff with 11 sectional completions
  • State of the art meeting facilities, town hall collaboration space for 110 staff with broadcast options, a hospitality suite for events and a full cook kitchen and servery
  • High performance live recording studio plus three edit suites
  • 24 person multipurpose ‘Dolby’ certified screening room
  • BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating