In London’s iconic Lloyd’s building, an high-tech blend of workspace and hospitality creates a future-proof HQ for the pioneering tech firm.

Representing joint ventures between DXC Technology, International Underwriting Association, and Lloyd’s Velonetic is a newly-launched digital insurance company, taking over 8,000 sq ft of space at the renowned Lloyd’s building in London’s financial district. To showcase a pioneering digital future of insurance, architecture and interior design practice Basha-Franklin has created an innovative new workspace that fuses education, work and hospitality – working around tight parameters in the Grade I listed building.

A striking mirrored pod forms the centre-piece of the space, alongside an agile hospitality zone – an anchor for events and meet ups. The entire exhibition area can hold an event for up to 150 people seated and standing, all with sightlines to digital screens. Centrally aligned on the grid stands a bar, made from durable and sustainable vitreous enamel, sat below an LED light that traces the shape of the bar like a halo.

Basha-Franklin designed heavyweight curtain dividers with an acoustic layer embedded in the fabrication – a cellulose paper pulp tile provides an acoustic back wall, and throughout the exhibition zone acoustic flooring with coloured directional weave echoes the high-tech design, emulating movement.

To protect the listed grid coffer ceiling and striking original light fittings, Basha-Franklin specified a bespoke Visplay multi-lane system, creating a secondary floating grid below the existing ceiling. “Traditionally used in retail environments, the secondary grid enables ultimate flexibility to reconfigure fittings and fixtures, including lighting, AV connectivity and power, allowing this futurist hub to break the prescribed building uniformity internally.”

The northeast side of the floorplate has limited access to natural light, making it the ideal place for a hi-tech digital zone. Here stands an interactive exhibition space, which showcases the digital transformation that is revolutionising the insurance sector.

In contrast to the rest of the floor, the south side has more natural light and outdoor views, now a focus area for up to 50 team members. The finishes in this space are natural, light and fresh, allowing the iconic concrete coffer to be celebrated as a foreground feature.

“Our goal was to create a multi-functional and versatile space that engages and excites. By taking inspiration from the building’s radical inside-out aesthetic, we’ve created a futuristic, high-tech environment that can be adapted and evolve over time. Our design has purpose and, more importantly, longevity – giving Velonetic a dynamic space for many years to come.”

Learn more about the design of Velonetic, The Lloyd’s Building.

Read the full feature on Mix Interiors.