Vitra commissioned Basel-based architects Herzog & de Meuron to design the stunning structure in 2006 and it is now one of the company’s focal points.

3Sphere’s Brian Winward and Matthew Ellis (both pictured below) visited the building in July and were blown away by the sheer scale of the project. Futuristic from the outside, 12 separate internal spaces have been designed in the style of familiar domestic settings to showcase Vitra’s extensive furniture collections.

The project has already captivated the design-orientated media who have been inspired by the visionary concept that combines both architectural and interior design brilliance.

As the residential market continues to take influence from corporate office design themes, both Vitra and 3Sphere are perfectly positioned to benefit from our growing awareness of high-end furniture designers and brands.

For more information, please visit www.vitra.com

The event also showcased a multitude of customised Panton’s entered into the Vitra-organised competition to commemorate the provenance of this design classic.

Brian Winward’s trout-inspired design stood proudly among a diverse range of entries which highlighted the creativity and dexterity of the architects & interiors sector.

The ultimate winner was submitted by London’s Jump Studio’s who hollowed out the actual chair shell and replaced it with fishing line: the effective is both elegant and innovative. Second prize was awarded to Ben Adams Architects with the bronze award going to Maris Interiors.

The evening was a great success and one must applaud Vitra’s ability to devise unique and visionary events that both challenge notions of design whilst also being great fun.

Participants have been invited to customise a Panton chair in a design of their choice with all entries being judged and exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery on July 1st 2010.

Brian Winward, 3Sphere’s Managing Director, has entered the competition and taken inspiration from his love of freshwater fishing to create a vibrant ‘trout’ design with the contours of the chair representing the movement of the fish.

Danish designer Verner Panton originally designed the chair so that it can be manufactured from one piece of moulded plastic and it has subsequently become a ‘design classic’ since entering production in 1967.

The creators of the winning piece will be awarded a set of four red Classic Panton’s.

The Guardian’s New Premises – Author: Andrew Pinnell

Of course virtually everyone’s lives are now consumed by the credit crunch and the impact of a failing economy is hitting the majority of businesses very hard. Inevitably, companies are analysing the minutiae of the bottom line and in many cases the plans to move or expand offices are being shelved and budgets slashed as Directors’ survival instincts take over. The initial desire to reduce overhead and cut expenditure is natural, but so often a flawed strategy.

Frankly, the recession is long overdue as the economy had become fat on loss-making businesses, sloppy customer service and exorbitant pricing across many sectors, especially retail. Now we are in a landscape where only businesses that embrace changing consumer habits, deliver innovative products, plus exceptional levels of service will survive. And thank god for that. The benchmark had become too low, money to easy to come by and we were all being fleeced.

Cut if you will to an episode of the three-part Media Revolution series broadcast on BBC and presented by the excellent Janet Street Porter. The series is inspiring throughout and a joy to people like me who believe in the digital revolution. Sadly, the UK SME sector has been pitifully slow to catch on and attempt to benefit from the vast commercial opportunities that are now available at the click of a mouse.

When I was a crimped haired student in 1984, it was almost impossible to envisage the media theories of Marshal McCluan who wrote of  ‘The Global Village’ and ‘The Medium is the Message’  as long ago as 1953 (check).  Well, it has taken 25 years, but we truly do now live in a global village where the communication channels themselves define the audience. If you want to target anyone under 25, the Internet is your only real option short of buying ad. space in the breaks between Big Brother. I digress, but it is a crucial point. The digital age is now a reality and any business that cannot adapt, might as well pack it in now. With the banking system in crisis, you have the ultimate excuse after all!

Street-Porter analysed the impact of the digital revolution on Fleet Street. Newspapers are being hammered not just by falls in circulation, but also by plummeting ad. revenues. The recession has sounded the death knell for recruitment, property and automotive advertising streams which have propped-up the press for three decades or more. These incomes will never return. We are living in a different place. The internet is taking over and, in the words of Kevin Roberts (CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide), “the consumer is boss”.

It is not all doom and gloom by any means. Janet interviewed the editor of The Guardian in their swanky new offices in Kings Cross. The new media world shimmers on my TV and every element of the premises seems to scream style and cool. Shiny Apple Macs flicker, global images flash upon a myriad of plasma’s and every pair of eyes is glued to a screen of one sort or another. These screens now control us; we have started to touch them, they are talking to us – soon we will be talking to them!

The Guardian is responding to the digital revolution by redefining itself. 20 million people access their website every month, 7 million in the US. Video content posted online every minute; nothing is static anymore, half a million people can be on the Guardian’s site at any one time. Think about it.

The relocation of the business also represents a statement of corporate  intent, part of a massive rebranding exercise designed to cope with a fundamental shift in contemporary human behaviour; instant access, choice on demand, free content. Anything else is unacceptable to the urban consumer.

And as Alan Rusbridger, Editor of The Guardian predicts the demise of printed newspapers on my wall-mounted Sony Bravia, my eye is drawn to the beautiful interior design of the premises. Impress is delighted to be the marketing agency for 3Sphere, the company commissioned to source and install the stunning array of furniture in The Guardian’s new home. I am thrilled by 3Sphere’s contribution to such a ground-breaking project and marvel at the visionary working environment created by all those involved.

The digital age is paralleled by a design revolution where we are all demanding more from design in the broadest sense be it in the form of gadgets, furniture, architecture, cars and clothes. It has not yet touched everyone, but it certainly will.

Related Links
www.3sphere.co.uk
The Guardian Case Study with stunning images.

www.marshallmcluan.com
Visionary media commentator (1911-1980)

The Paragon - Bristol - Reception

3Sphere has successfully completed the fit out of Thring Townsend Lee and Pembertons (TTL&P) new BREEAM-compliant offices strategically located at the Paragon in central Bristol. The client is one of the South West’s leading law firms and their stunning new fourth and fifth floor premises mirrors the dynamic ethos of the company.

Having won a seven-way pitch, 3Sphere utilised their full repertoire of design, fit-out and furniture capabilities to create an inspiring working environment that is both contemporary and professional. The elegant space planning and stylised loose furniture combine to create an understated yet cool atmosphere which complements the very essence of the buildings architecture.

Knoll’s Studio Collection predominates with chairs also by Boss and Vitra; Haworth workstations, WJ White tables and Bisley storage solutions suggest a “restrained quality” throughout and soften the divide between client-facing spaces and the staff zones. Vibrant colours and modern stripes merge with sophisticated walnut and shimmering glass extenuating the feel of ambitious modernity, themes in parallel with the client’s brand.

The project was led by Brian Winward, Managing Director of 3Sphere, who enjoyed the scope and scale of the brief: After a feverish pitching process, we were ecstatic to win this project as it challenged every element of 3Sphere’s product offering; the whole build and fit-out process gives a satisfying glow, but it was the design process that was so inspiring. We had a joint creative vision from the outset and our honest relationship with the client enabled the project to flourish.

Staff moved into their new premises in September 2009 and TTL&P are delighted with their new working environment. Project Manager Alison Holdoway commented:

When selecting a fit out contractor, Thring Townsend Lee & Pembertons required a company with all the key skills of design, furniture supply, construction and post contract support. We also considered whether the relationship would work between the fit out partner and our in house team. Most importantly, we wanted a company who were really committed to our project. 3Sphere satisfied us on all levels which is why they were selected.

We have worked closely together over ten months on a project that has been complex and required a highly specialist set of skills. We have demanded high performance levels, high quality products and finishes and, particularly in this financial climate, value for money. 3Sphere have responded to our demands and been extremely professional throughout the fit out project. They have been generous with design ideas, time and advice and their professionalism has been matched by that of the subcontractors who have supported the fit out.

3Sphere have successfully completed our project on time and within budget, providing us with a fabulous, contemporary office space that creates a stimulating environment for our employees.

Notes to Editors

• 3Sphere is an independent design, build and furniture company based in Cirencester.
• The company was formed in 2007 following a management buy-out from Spaceworks.
• 3Sphere are an authorised dealer for Vitra, Haworth and K&N City furniture.
• The company have a prestigious corporate client base that includes Tribal Group, BDO Stoy Hayward, Invensys, Westinghouse Rail, Alcatel-Lucent and HSBC among others.
• In 2009, the company completed the loose furniture contract for The Guardian’s new offices in Kings Cross, London.
• 3Sphere have also recently launched Kontract Interiors to provide build-related services.