Fiskars UK Headquarters

In late 2014 Fiskars, Finland’s oldest company, acquired 5,750 sq.ft of office space on the 17th floor of the McLaren Building in Birmingham City Centre. This move by the global brand was to establish a stronger presence in the UK and harness the skills of the city’s homegrown talent. The McLaren Building is a prominent piece of the city’s skyline, offering panoramic views across the business district and out towards the ongoing and extensive regeneration of Eastside. Our design has provided a sleek, modern UK headquarters for the company and it’s 30-staff who work in it. We have matched Fiskars’ corporate aspirations with an uncompromising and attractive contemporary fit-out design.

A key requirement from Fiskars was the need to create a product exhibition spaces within the office, where their products could be show-cased through marketing events and live demonstrations. In response, we designed a divided floor plate, with a flexible split between meeting, work and display areas. Large windows offer high levels of natural daylight, helping to create a well-lit workspace for staff. Standing work stations are a standard feature of Fiskars’ office environments, and in response to this we installed height adjustable desk systems throughout.

Breakout areas encourage employees to engage in collaborative working, whilst a table-tennis table in the lounge offers a chance to break-out and relax. Creative storage options have allowed Fiskars to conceal products discreetly and maximise on floorspace. A high-quality co-ordinated material and colour palette provides a sense of continuity whilst moving through the different product areas within the office. Bespoke Scandinavian influenced furniture has been fashioned by local joiners.

Fiskars’ orange handled scissors are an iconic global design and we have ensured the company’s rich 365 year heritage is articulated within the fit-out design. Product elements have been used to decorate the office, these include; scissors and garden tools attached to a timber slated wall and an impressive glass Italla bauble display suspended by invisible threads. These very personal and decorative additions have created a headquarters befitting of a global business with a history shaped by design.