When Boston Consulting Group (BCG) set out to create a high-performance, hybrid-ready workspace, they partnered with BW Workplace Experts to deliver a state-of-the-art office designed to enhance collaboration, sustainability, and user experience. With Orbit Architects shaping the architectural vision, the transformation of Cargo Building, 25 North Colonnade focused on employee well-being and the future of work.

Archana Roy, BCG’s Global Real Estate Director, summarised the impact of the project:

“The Boston Consulting Group’s Canary Wharf office has moved from Citi Tower to the iconic Cargo Building at 25 North Colonnade! The team completed this high-quality fit-out of 50,000 sqft in just 26 weeks onsite. Offering a variety of spaces to suit employees’ hybrid working needs, the project was laser-focused on user experience, inclusivity, and sustainable design of the workplace.”

To support this transformation, acoustic and shading solutions played a critical role, ensuring that the space was both visually striking and functionally optimised. With our ILE Signature blinds installed in every window, Silent Gliss curtain tracks with Vescom fabrics, and over 1,000 acoustic panels strategically positioned, the office environment was designed to enhance comfort, usability, and adaptability.

BCG’s new workplace needed to accommodate hybrid working, providing areas for seamless collaboration while maintaining quiet zones for focus work. To achieve this, the design incorporated carefully positioned acoustic treatments that minimised noise distractions while aligning with the architectural vision.

Over 1,000 acoustic panels installed across multiple zones, balancing noise levels and enhancing speech clarity.

• 500 Ecophon Ceiling Baffles across two floors – Positioned to reduce reverberation in open-plan areas, keeping conversations clear without excess background noise.

• Soundhush Fabric-Wrapped Panels – Installed in meeting rooms and high-traffic areas to absorb excess sound, preventing disturbances between different work settings.

• Autex Groove PET Panels – Used in collaboration spaces, offering dual functionality as a sound-absorbing solution and a design feature.

By seamlessly integrating these materials into the office’s architecture, the space supports diverse work styles while ensuring a comfortable acoustic environment.

With large floor-to-ceiling windows, BCG’s workspace needed a shading solution that:

• Optimises natural light while reducing glare on screens.
• Maintains visual privacy in key areas.
• Aligns with sustainability goals by reducing reliance on artificial lighting.

To meet these requirements, offices were fitted with a combination of tailored blinds and curtains to ensure user-controlled flexibility which included:

• ILE Signature Roller Blinds installed in every window across multiple floors, allowing employees to adjust lighting based on their workspace needs.

• Shy Zip Blinds with Side Channels (by Guthrie Douglas) – Installed in select rooms for blackout functionality, improving focus and presentation visibility.

• Silent Gliss Curtain Tracks with Vescom Curtain Fabrics – Designed for privacy and aesthetic refinement, complementing the workspace’s contemporary design.

Unlike the acoustic panels, the curtains were primarily an aesthetic and privacy feature, while the blinds provided functional light control for different areas of the office.

Executing a 50,000 sqft transformation within 26 weeks required precise coordination. The project’s fast-track nature meant aligning installations flawlessly with BW Workplace Experts’ master schedule.

• Tight Delivery & Installation Timelines – We worked closely with BW’s project managers to ensure on-time material deliveries, preventing any impact on the wider fit-out programme.

• Architectural Integration with Orbit Architects – All acoustic and shading elements were integrated to complement the architectural design while maintaining functionality.

• Defect-Free Completion – BW successfully achieved defect-free delivery, ensuring BCG’s high expectations were met without compromise.

With over 1,000 acoustic panels, blinds in every window, and high-spec curtain solutions seamlessly integrated, the project was delivered on time, within scope, and to the highest standard.

BCG’s Canary Wharf office sets a new benchmark for workplace design, combining smart acoustic solutions, sustainable practices, and hybrid working functionality. 

The space is:

• Optimised for hybrid working, allowing employees to transition seamlessly between different work modes.

• Designed for user comfort, balancing natural light, privacy, and acoustic control.

• Aesthetically aligned with BCG’s brand, creating a modern, high-end workspace that enhances the employee experience.

By collaborating with BW Workplace Experts and Orbit Architects, we contributed to an environment that is not only visually impressive but also designed to enhance productivity, well-being, and adaptability.