We were commissioned by the Director of Communications at Oxford University to transform a soulless meeting room into a multi-purpose space for the department’s staff. The room had stark white walls and harsh overhead lighting which fostered an oppressive atmosphere. The transformation needed to be completed on a tight budget and work as a space for meetings with the University’s Chancellor and journalists, as well as being a relaxing space for staff to use at lunchtime.

Housed within a 60s brutalist building, the dual aspect room was surrounded by tree canopies. We decided to use this as our inspiration and bring the outside in by using a palette of greens, plants and bespoke leaf stencils. We replaced the corporate style office furniture with soft, timeless, furnishings and added ambient lighting. The addition of side tables allow staff to work on laptops in a more informal way. The meeting room has now become an inviting space that harnesses creativity and promotes staff well-being.