Project Description

Hudson River Trading (HRT) is a quantitative trading firm with over 900 employees across six countries. The firm partnered with us to create an office in London that supports collaborative work and reflects HRT’s culture and identity. Hudson River Trading’s culture is focused on people who love what they do. So, for its office design in London, we kept branding subtle and focused on designing for people. Bespoke algorithm-inspired artwork creates brand recognition as you enter into reception. Throughout the office layout, we used the angles of HRT’s logo to juxtapose the curves of the building. Maintaining the City views and sight lines to landmarks, such as St Paul’s Cathedral, helps to localise the design. The space has a fluidity to it, and statement lighting overhead helps people to flow from desk to destination. Its office design and build solution reimagines the traditional trading floor. At the heart of the space, the ‘Tink[er] Tank’ acts as a dedicated setting for problem-solving and ideating together outside the banks of desks. HRT’s developers like to constantly iterate on its trading algorithms. Moveable furniture lets people physically edit the space by remodeling it to suit the different needs of those using it. Collaboration can be distracting within an open plan office. So, we divided the Tink Tank from the main workspace by using curved walls and semi-transparent curtains to avoid causing a disturbance to those working nearby. The space also includes social areas, such as a café and lounge, for staff to connect and unwind. For instance, staff can enjoy the pool table or watch sports in the lounge area after work. Furniture solutions within this space provide enough seating to come together to enjoy daily chef-prepared breakfasts and lunches. In addition, the multi-use furniture allows staff and visiting guests to touch down and work. The community space doubles up for events, too. We designed the sizeable bespoke island with direct access to a private terrace. The island is a focal point for hosting events, naturally drawing people to it. With good WiFi and a great sound system, the private terrace is an extension of the interior for special occasions. The office design creates an inclusive and equitable workspace that celebrates diversity. It considers the needs of all employees, providing spaces for both collaborative work and quiet concentration. The design also fosters a sense of belonging and community, promoting interactions and connections among HRT's diverse workforce. Net zero considerations HRT’s office is located at 100 Liverpool Street, a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ net-zero carbon building. As a net zero carbon development, we had to ensure our supply chain met the specific guidelines for working in the building. Such as FORS Silver-accreditation registered vehicle deliveries. The project team prioritised sustainability by designing all MEP engineering services from scratch. They monitored energy usage, and utilised virtual space capture technology to reduce travel emissions during construction. Many of the London project’s stakeholders work in HRT’s New York City HQ. So, technology was a crucial part of ensuring efficiency during the construction phase. Scans were taken and communicated every couple of days. As a result, the client didn’t need to travel during the build, saving time and emissions. Additionally, as part of the London team’s roadmap to net zero, the site set-up was entirely paperless.