A Look Inside One Smart’s Place’s New London Office

Michal
Technology
2 months ago

Office space provider One Smart’s Place hired interior design studio Thirdway to design their new office in London, England.

“Balancing design vision, regulatory compliance, and high-performance finishes, One Smart’s Place is an award-winning development occupying a prominent corner site in Covent Garden. The scheme offers over 3,000 sq ft of premium Cat A+ workspace and a 1,200 sq ft business lounge, The Press, reimagining the ground floor as a dynamic, flexible environment designed for modern hybrid working. Recognised for its architectural excellence and sustainability credentials, One Smart’s Place sets a new benchmark for next-generation workspace in central London.

Specialist subcontractor GPL Projects were briefed to deliver Thirdway’s bold design vision – an expressive, hospitality-inspired space that breaks away from the corporate norm. Working on behalf of Baumont Real Estate, GPL collaborated with long-term partner Forza Doors to supply bespoke fire-rated interior doors that supported the distinctive aesthetic while meeting stringent safety, acoustic, and sustainability standards.

The interiors at One Smart’s Place reject the neutral palette typical of commercial offices. Bold burgundy and scarlet tones, paired with natural materials and warm woods, evoke the atmosphere of an exclusive members’ lounge. Custom Kit Kat Barn Red Tiles in the reception and biophilic details throughout add texture and visual interest.

Supporting this vision required more than aesthetic sensitivity – it demanded product solutions that could withstand regulatory scrutiny without compromising the scheme’s distinctive identity. Forza Doors’ role was to ensure this balance of compliance and creativity. Products supplied included bespoke FD60 and FD120 fire doors, providing 60 and 120 minutes of fire resistance, respectively. To meet Thirdway’s design intent, both the timber doors and solid timber frames were stained and finished in house to match the project control samples.
Built-in compliance and confidence

All fire doors used in the project were manufactured and third-party certified to meet UK regulations and client-specific requirements. Forza Doors’ ongoing investment in fire testing and certification – including verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) – reassured GPL and Thirdway through proven safety and sustainability performance.

This project demonstrates how Forza Doors supports design-led teams in navigating the technical complexities of specification, ensuring that creative intent doesn’t come at the expense of safety or delivery.

“The doors supplied by Forza Doors played a pivotal role in unifying the space,” said Christian Lorence, project manager at GPL. “They guaranteed a seamless and consistent aesthetic from the reception area through to the business lounge, reinforcing the overall design flow. At the same time, they provide an essential layer of safety and peace of mind for everyone using the workspace.”“From the outset, Forza Doors’ team gave us confidence,” Christian added. “Their responsive approach and ability to adapt to project demands meant we stayed on schedule and aligned with Thirdway’s design vision.”

“This project demonstrates how thoughtful design and rigorous safety standards can seamlessly combine to create effective and appealing commercial interiors,” says Will Hunnam, managing director at Forza Doors. “GPL Projects excelled at bringing Thirdway’s clear and inspiring vision to life, with a keen eye for design detail that’s reflected in the quality of the final result.”