Getty Images London

101, Bayham Street, London, United Kingdom

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Getty Images London

101, Bayham Street, London, United Kingdom

Firm

Bluebottle

Type

Commercial › Office

YEAR

2011

When first viewing the building a recurring theme became apparent - it could have been occupied by any company, there was no clue or reference as to who Getty Images were. The office floors were tired, dark areas, segregated by doors to the circulation, the reception area small and dated. Our starting point for this project was to create a sense of identity for both visiting clients and staff alike.

To achieve a sense of openness and link all the floors together, we concentrated the design features in the main stairwell and WC/lift lobby areas. By incorporating the fire doors into the coloured panels to each central core, each floor is given an identity, linked together through the spectrum of a singular colour per floor, graded tonally from light to dark.

This then provided a backdrop to the main event, a 16 metre high light feature showcasing a vast selection of imagery from the Getty database, a fully curated piece of illuminated art. A mix of creative, editorial and archive images in colour and black and white, juxtaposed and seemingly random, a floating exhibition of historical, abstract, beautiful imagery.

The working floors have a neutral backdrop of finishes. To complement the neutral palette, and to utilize some of the incredible imagery we highlighted certain areas to be feature walls, printing large scale abstract/ambiguous images with hints of colour.

The ground floor/reception area is used as a marketing/sales tool, a space to enhance and showcase the brand. A long linear corian reception desk (with mosaic backdrop) takes the eye towards the space beyond, to a large scale media wall showcasing Getty Images. By choosing a vertical format, this forced a rethink of conventional display, encouraging flexibility in media. We opened up the reception to incorporate another meeting room, a double sided/split level banquette dividing 2 seating areas, with a grey angled wall facing all areas linking them together, punctured by bright yellow teapoint.