Pentland Lakeside Headquarters, Finchley, London.

The Pentland Group required a new headquarters to provide a distinctive home for its portfolio of global brands, including Speedo, Ellesse, Kickers and Lacoste, alongside key facilities for its marketing and executive operations. The brief called for an environment that was inspiring, open and innovative—supporting designers, staff and leadership within a unified workplace.

From the outset, the design process challenged conventional thinking. The client was encouraged to move away from standard terminology such as “office” or “restaurant,” instead adopting more open-ended concepts like “a place to work”and “a place to eat.” This shift fostered lateral thinking and avoided the typical constraints associated with predefined building types.

The scheme is organised as a sequence of interconnected elements, combining office spaces and design studios with a variety of complementary environments. This approach enabled the creation of diverse spatial experiences, supported by carefully considered furniture and fittings. Close collaboration with Pentland’s in-house designers and brand managers informed the selection of colours, materials and finishes, resulting in a building where people and brand identities shape the spaces, rather than the architecture dictating their use.

The headquarters is set around - and partially over - a regenerated lake, creating a unique and engaging setting. A generous reception, dynamic presentation spaces and a lakeside dining pavilion contribute to a vibrant atmosphere, while informal work areas encourage creativity and collaboration.

The project has been widely recognised, receiving the British Council for Offices “Best of the Best” Award and a Times/ Gestetner Award. As noted by Chairman R. Stephen Rubin:

“I told you I wanted the best office in Britain. One has ambitions, but one never expects to achieve them. Thank you for what all you and your team have done.”

The result is a workplace that redefines the traditional office - an environment where creativity, flexibility and identity are embedded into every aspect of the design.