Leading multi-disciplinary firm MoreySmith has once again been recognised for its innovative and unique take on office design. The practice has been acknowledged for its remarkable fifteen year contribution to interior architecture by taking home two awards at the British Council for Offices’ annual awards ceremony, which celebrates the best in excellent office space.

The British Council for Offices, which exists to research, develop and communicate best practice in all aspects of the office sector, held its annual Awards dinner at The Grosvenor House Hotel on Tuesday 7th October 2008. Four of MoreySmith’s projects were shortlisted: Rio Tinto, St James’s Square, Lawn Tennis Association and Sony Computer Entertainment.

Rio Tinto was jointly awarded the Best London Small Project up to 2000m² - MoreySmith was credited for creating an outstanding workspace for Rio Tinto at their offices in the city of London. The practice was recognised for its expert manipulation of the space, skilfully using light, colour and a range of unique finishes to create a spacious and flexible working environment for the global corporation. The judges praised MoreySmith for creating ‘an ambience that allows one to feel that this is a corporate head office without an overpowering sense of corporate excess’ and were impressed by the facilities offered on a single 1,500 m² floor. ‘This is an excellent finished product endorsed by all who work there’, they added.

The Lawn Tennis Association’s National Tennis Centre was honoured with the top award of the night – The Best of the Best, in addition to the national Small Projects accolade. MoreySmith was commissioned by the LTA in 2007 to create an open, collaborative and contemporary interior for the building, which was designed by Hopkins Architects. MoreySmith once again demonstrated to full effect its exemplary design credentials by designing a number of key elements, including a reception, café and juice bar, executive offices, board room, interactive room, players’ lounge, centre court breakout area and recreation area for children. Judges commended the firm for achieving the rare feat of a fit-out which integrates beautifully with the base build.

Now celebrating fifteen years in business, MoreySmith enjoys a reputation for innovative and progressive design and has been commissioned to undertake projects for an impressive portfolio of blue chip clients; from music and entertainment to legal and property firms and pharmaceutical companies. Previous projects include Sony BMG, Sony Computer Entertainment, Virgin and EMI Publishing. The practice is particularly skilled at handling period buildings, adeptly achieving the difficult marriage of modern style with vintage structure. The firm takes an imaginative and holistic approach to interior design, creating elegant, contemporary and functional interiors with a trademark use of contrasting colour and materials.

Email: fphilip@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk