Headquarters for Thomson Travel

Thomson Travel's initial brief stated: "At present, the way in which staff are cut off physically from one another does not encourage the type of informal communication that is so much a part of the Thomson way of working. For this reason, apart from an improved utilisation of space and creation of better environmental conditions, a prime objective in carrying out alterations is to achieve a 'style' which all staff will find stimulating and appropriate."

When the first phase of work began, Thomson was not committed to remaining permanently in the building. The aim was to create short-term improvements (to last four years) for those functions where a need for change was most urgent. As work proceeded, Thomson Travel with Trickett Associates explored an eventual move to a new purpose-built structure. But this plan was shelved once it was realised, after completion of the first phase of work, that space in Greater London House did contain considerable potential for improvement at a lower cost than new-build. Thomson Travel decided, therefore, to proceed with a series of five further phases of work so that all their office space could be brought up to similar standards.

The 3.2 m floor-to-ceiling height available at Greater London House facilitated the provision of office 'pods'. These are fully enclosed glazed offices that can be placed anywhere on the floor because their own services are built-in and other services run uninterruptedly above. Colour and graphics are an important element at Thomson Travel. Within a predominantly yellow scheme, signs and other graphic devices are designed to emphasise the company's activities: hence seagulls, travel posters, tickets and other holiday items identifying different departments and areas. Remarkably, given that Trickett Associates' initial brief was to produce a 4 year scheme, Thomson Travel is still occupying Greater London House 35 years later. Clearly, the value of the initial study paid off handsomely.

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