News Archive
25 Mar 2011
KKS Completes First Fit-out in Heron Tower
Law firm McDermott Will & Emery has now moved into their KKS designed space on floors eight and nine of the tower, becoming the first tenant to occupy the 46-storey tower.
17 Mar 2011
KKS Completes Hammerson HQ 'Refresh' to Reflect New CEO's Vision
03 Mar 2011
Charlie Joe Beaton is Born (pdf/34kb)
A second child for Peter and Monique, baby Charlie arrived at 09.41 weighing 6.5lbs.
17 Feb 2011
Gardiner & Theobald Headquarters Shortlisted for the BCO Fit-out of Workplace (above 2000m2) Award
Gardiner & Theobald's headquarters at 10 South Crescent was visited by the regional judges as part of the final adjudication process for this year's BCO Awards.
16 Feb 2011
Franklin Michael Pontifex (pdf/3mb)
Arrived at 19.15, weighing in at 5lb 8oz. Caroline and son are both doing well.
01 Feb 2011
Cairo International Conference Center - Book Fair Team Return to UK
The Cairo International Book Fair team of KKS Strategy (Design Management), Jog Limited (Branding and Exhibition Design) and Tim Soar (Photographer) returned from Cairo a little later than expected due to the unrest in the city. The team had been in Cairo from Tuesday 25th January, when the first protests began, for the final snagging and photography phase of the work, which they were able to complete before the conference centre was evacuated on Friday 28th January. The Book Fair had been scheduled to open on Saturday 29th January but has been indefinitely postponed. The link gives a flavour of the unfolding drama as seen from their hotel and during their trips across the city.
26 Jan 2011
The Portman Estate Appoints KKS Strategy as Interior Architect for New Offices at 40 Portman Square
The Portman Estate has agreed heads of terms to occupy 7,819 sq ft of new accommodation on the ground floor of 40 Portman Square, London W1. The Portman Estate has appointed KKS Strategy to develop a scheme that will provide an enhanced environment, with more functional and fully integrated working space, for The Portman Estate staff.
23 Dec 2010
Promotions 2010
Caroline Pontifex has been promoted to Partner in recognition of her leadership of Strategic Design (Development Strategy, Occupier Strategy and BDC services) within KKS. Dan Gardner (Space Planner) has been promoted to Associate in recognition of his contribution to KKS Strategy's Development Strategy and BDC services.
20 Dec 2010
Brown Brothers Harriman Moves into New Offices at Park House (pdf/844kb)
"The team at KKS did a fine job helping us create an environment that is mindful of our heritage while showcasing who we are today. The space is well thought out, providing a professional work environment for our staff and a conference suite we are proud to share with our clients and guests. Throughout the project KKS worked closely with us and all the consultants in a highly collaborative manner." Michael Dow_Brown Brothers Harriman
01 Nov 2010
Axis Capital Fit-out Now Complete
KKS Strategy's high-end, 7000 sq ft, fit-out at 20 Gracechurch Street for Axis Capital's new business group - Axis Global Accident & Health - is now complete.
19 Oct 2010
Offices Awards 2010
KKS Strategy was instumental in providing the large trading floorplates for Nomura at Watermark Place that helped to secure them as the sole occupier, winning City Deal of the Year at the Offices Awards 2010. KKS also worked with Heron International on the development strategy for The Peak, which won West End Development of the Year.
15 Oct 2010
KKS Strategy has advised on four schemes shortlisted for the Office Awards 2010: The Walbrook, Drapers Gardens and Watermark Place (City Development of the Year plus City Deal of the Year for Nomura at Watermark Place) and The Peak (West End Development of the Year).
24 Aug 2010
KKS Overseas Work in Azerbaijan
Since May this year, KKS Strategy has been working with Pasha Construction on the Port Baku Towers development. The scheme consists of two towers of 14 and 32 storeys and a podium. KKS is providing interior and wayfinding design services for the base build common areas.
13 Aug 2010
KKS Strategy Appointed by Derwent London
KKS Strategy is working with Derwent London on marketing space plans for their Angel Building, to assist in the letting strategy.
02 Aug 2010
KKS Appointed as Interior Architect by Heron Tower's First Tenant
Law firm McDermott Will & Emery has signed up to take approximately 25,000 sq ft over floors eight and nine of the tower. KKS Strategy is providing full interior design services.
12 Apr 2010
KKS Strategy have been working on Heron Tower's development strategy with Heron International and KPF Architects since 2004. On 12 April 2010, Heron International held a 'topping out' ceremony to celebrate the building's structural completion. At 202m (663ft) tall (230m/755ft with mast) Heron Tower has overtaken Tower 42 as the tallest building in the City of London, a record Tower 42 held for 30 years.
KKS Strategy's work included the review of proposed atria options for the typical floorplate to resolve the most efficient and flexible floorplate configuration. The ideal floorplate informed the structural solution for the location of the core and columns - to increase potential planning options, allow uniform office sizes, and so maximise the marketability of the building. The tower provides 439,552 sq ft of office accommodation over 36 storeys and is due to open in February 2011.
23 Mar 2010
KKS/KPF team has moved into the Top 10 Interior Architect Rankings
Metropolis Property Research listed the partnership of KKS Strategy and KPF Architects within the Top 10 Interior Architects in terms of fit-out market share within central London for the first time this year. KKS Strategy and Kohn Pederson Fox have collaborated on a number of projects and are currently working on the occupational strategy and interior fit-out for BlackRock's new headquarters in the City of London.
01 Feb 2010
Practical Completion achieved on The Walbrook
Designed by Foster and Partners and developed by Minerva, The Walbrook sits on a prime City of London site between Bank and Cannon Street stations. The building provides circa 410,000 sq ft of office space and is the only completed, new building in the City capable of meeting the demands of a single occupier requiring over 200,000 sq ft. KKS Strategy has been a key member of the development team, advising on floorplate optimisation and base build enhancements and producing industry sector marketing plans and tenant specific test-fits.
03 Jan 2010
2010 Preview
KKS Anniversary
KKS celebrated six years in business on 16th January 2010.
Gardiner & Theobald - New HQ/Interior Architecture
This January Gardiner & Theobald is moving into their new headquarters at 10 South Crescent, London WC1. KKS has been working on their change management strategy since September 2007 – to move from their mostly cellular and disparate Bedford Square campus of 14 properties, to an open plan HQ solution. The KKS translation of the brief into full fit-out creates a contemporary, forward-looking workplace for 320 staff that will support G&T’s business from operational, cost and cultural perspectives.
BlackRock – Occupier Strategy
BlackRock is the world’s largest asset management firm. Following their acquisition of Barclays Global Investments, BlackRock will be assimilating their combined workforce within a new, 300,000 sq ft, City of London development known as Drapers Gardens. In December 2009, BlackRock retained the joint partnership of KPF Architects and KKS Strategy to assist them with the occupational strategy and interior architectural fit-out for the new HQ. The strategic briefing phase recently begun, with a view to BlackRock occupying Drapers Gardens in summer 2011.
CMS Cameron McKenna – Occupier Strategy
Following previous workplace consulting in 2009, KKS and Cordless Consultants were recently commissioned to assist CMS Cameron McKenna with a strategy to develop a new type of 'legal office'. The team will be working with CMS to establish their drivers for change and to develop a workplace solution that will support progressive working cultures and future technologies.
Hammerson/Bishops Place – Development Strategy
KKS continues to collaborate with Fosters and the professional team on the Bishops Place site, to the north of Liverpool Street. Several schemes are under consideration for a variety of major occupiers interested in a new HQ of approx 800,000 sq ft net.
01 Jan 2010
2009 Highlights
British Council for Offices 2009 Awards
KKS strategy was involved in five of the buildings shortlisted for awards in February 2009 (Eversheds, 1 Wood Street, London; 1 fifty Cheapside, London; One Finsbury Circus, London; 20 Gresham Street, London; Beetham Organization, West Tower, Liverpool) with Eversheds winning the Corporate Workplace Award for the southeast region.
Hedge Fund Company – New HQ/Interior Architecture
KKS Strategy has been assisting Europe’s leading Hedge Fund with their real estate solutions since they set up in 2003. In 2008 the fund again retained KKS to provide full interior design services for a new headquarters to accommodate 330 people with associated facilities such as a state-of-the-art trading floor, client meeting suite, gym and games room. The fund moved into their new accommodation in January 2009; it was described in a Times article as ‘a modernist suite of edged glass and veneered walls’.
Stephenson Harwood – Occupier Strategy
Between July and September 2009, KKS undertook extensive strategic briefing, test-fit studies and building due diligence assessments to assist Stephenson Harwood in the selection of a new 110,000 sq ft headquarters building. Once a scheme was selected, KKS and Knight Frank led the professional team in developing a Tenant’s Requirement Document to detail Stephenson Harwood’s brief, including technical requirements. By November 2009, KKS had completed full Stage C Concept Design services to accommodate a headcount of 450 within the optimum interior design solution for the practice and the building.
KKS moves into new office space
In August 2009 KKS relocated to new office space within the award winning Richard Rogers building at 88 Wood Street, London EC2, bringing us closer to many of our clients who are also based in the City.
Walbrook – Development Strategy
KKS continued to advise on this 445,000 sq ft major City landmark, due for practical completion January 2010. KKS has been collaborating with Minerva and Fosters on the scheme since 2005.
Watermark Place – Development Strategy
KKS has worked with CORE and Fletcher Priest on the development strategy for the 540,000 sq ft Watermark Place scheme since 2005. In 2009 a major financial occupier expressed interest in leasing the building as a sole tenant. KKS worked with Fletcher Priest to demonstrate the suitability of the existing base building scheme and to modify elements to suit the prospective tenant’s particular requirements; creating separate client, staff and trader entrances and three state-of-the-art trading floor schemes, each housing 700 traders. in September 2009 Nomura agreed a 20-year lease for the entire building and will move in upon its completion in 2010.
Heron Tower – Development Strategy
KKS continued to advise on Heron Tower, as the 680,000sf building now reaches its 44th floor, overtaking Tower 42 as the tallest building in the City of London, a record it held for 30 years.
Benchmarking Research
During 2009, KKS continued to inform project work with complementary research: ‘Law Firm Benchmarking and Future Trends - Open Plan/Cellular/New Ways of Working’; ‘Financial Services Sector Benchmarking’; and ‘Building Component/BBD Criteria Best Practice reports.
26 May 2009
Eversheds' 1 Wood St heralded as Legal HQ of the Future
The London headquarters of British law firm Eversheds LLP was co-star of a CoreNet York presentation at Manhattan’s Time-Life Building. Entitled "Workplace Innovation: Changing the Rules in the Legal and Banking Industries," the event featured Eversheds' senior partner Cornelius Medvei showcasing his firm’s headquarters on London’s Wood Street, alongside Caroline Postins, Director/KKS Strategy. The firm has apparently been successful at fostering a flexible workplace culture through what could prove to be potentially revolutionary architecture, design and technology.
Please click on the link to read full article
05 May 2009
Eversheds HQ wins regional BCO Award
for Corporate Workplace 2009 in London and the South-east. Please click on link to see video.
13 Feb 2009
Katrina Kostic Samen shortlisted for CoreNet Partner of The Year 2009
The judges said: ‘Major occupiers with large real estate portfolios have called upon Kostic Samen’s breadth of knowledge in commercial property to mould their ideal technical requirements. With more than 25 years’ experience in the corporate market, she brings vision, creativity and innovation, as well as a real sense of purpose.’
09 Feb 2009
The BCO announces shortlist for 2009 Awards
KKS involvement includes:
Eversheds, 1 Wood Street, London
1 fifty Cheapside, London
One Finsbury Circus, London
20 Gresham Street, London
Beetham Organization, West Tower, Liverpool
16 Jan 2009
KKS Celebrates 5 Years of Business
We are happy to announce that KKS is five years old on the 16th January 2009!
18 Dec 2008
Promotions 2009
Athina Trapezountiou (Project Designer) and Carl Mitchell (Designer & Space Planner) have been promoted to Associates.
28 Nov 2008
Eversheds win Law firm of The Year and Best Use of Technology at British Legal Awards
Eversheds Scoop two prestigious awards at the 2008 British Legal Awards.
08 Oct 2008
Norton Rose wins regional and national BCO Award for Fit-out of Workplace (pdf/634kb)
The judges commented, "This impressive fit-out within a new building demonstrates the unusual dynamic influences and design strategies that go into tailoring space to a specific tenant's demands." 3 More London is a result of the unique partnership between Foster + Partners, KKS and MCM.
15 Aug 2008
Eversheds: FX Awards Shortlist
Eversheds' London Headquarters at One Wood Street - a KKS/Woods Bagot collaboration - is shortlisted for the "Best Workspace Environment" Category at the FX Awards.
15 Jul 2008
Katrina Kostic Samen Joins BCO Board of Management
The BCO AGM announced Katrina has been elected to one of three vacancies on the Board under the category ‘Architecture/Design/Town Planning’.
01 Jun 2008
Katrina Kostic Samen is profiled in the June edition of OnOffice
14 May 2008
Eversheds move into new HQ (pdf/793kb)
At One Wood Street EC2. KKS, working with Woods Bagot, created a studio concept for their workspace configuration, a hybrid between cellular and open plan space that is unique to the legal industry.
21 Apr 2008
Norton Rose New Headquarters - BCO Shortlist (pdf/235kb)
3 More Riverside is shortlisted in both the 'Fit-out of Workplace' and 'Corporate Workplace' categories for the BCO Awards.
06 Feb 2008
New Headquarters for Beetham Organization (pdf/210kb)
The leading developer moves into new office space designed by KKS within their own development at West Tower, Liverpool (base build architect: Aedas).
24 Jan 2008
Vivid Interiors move to new HQ (pdf/172kb)
KKS Strategy has designed Vivid's new space at 1-2 Berners Street as an impressive headquarters in keeping with their design-led projects & clients.
21 Dec 2007
Promotions 2008
Chris Christodoulou (Design & Technical Manager) has been promoted to Associate. Rebecca Eracleous (Office Manager) has been promoted to Senior Associate.
04 May 2007
JP Morgan Picks City for New Headquarters
KKS advised on selection of a new site to accommodate JP Morgan's 1 million sf requirement.