Microsoft Scotland Offices, Headquarters, Edinburgh, Building, Image, Architect Waverley Gate Interior : HQ Fit-out by Michael Laird Architects, UK edinburgh architecture			Home Architecture News World Buildings
Microsoft Scotland Headquarters, Edinburgh : Information
Microsoft Scotland Headquarters - Fit-out Michael Laird Architects MICHAEL LAIRD ARCHITECTS UNVEIL MICROSOFT’S NEW HEADQUARTERS AT WAVERLEY GATE IN EDINBURGH Photographs © Keith Hunter Photography Formally opened by the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond on 12 November 2008, Michael Laird Architects are pleased to announce the completion of their interior for the Microsoft Scotland Customer Centre at the Waverley Gate Building in Waterloo Place, Edinburgh with approximately 12,150 sq.ft of office accommodation located in the top two floors of the building. The accommodation also incorporates a stunning roof garden affording panoramic views from the Castle to Holyrood, Arthur’s Seat, Calton Hill and the Firth of Forth. But it is inside where all the excitement happens with the designers set the challenge of responding to the design philosophy of Microsoft’s ground breaking, global approach to their work environment – Workplace Advantage. Michael Laird Architects have risen to this challenge and, working closely with Microsoft’s own Vendors (providing I.T., audio visual, security and furniture procurement expertise) and the Consultant / Construction Team in Edinburgh, have created an interior which tailors the principles set down in ‘Workplace Advantage’ to the requirements of the Microsoft Scotland team and to the opportunities afforded by the Waverley Gate building. Level 5 : Presentation - The Customer and Partner facing areas comprise the main presentation and boardroom suites, main reception and breakout area all with direct access to the roof garden. The main reception area is intentionally spacious and visually stimulating with the flowing forms of the reception desk and the glazed and floor-lit server room dominating the space. Level 4 West : Product and Concept Development - The product and concept development areas comprise a series of functional, yet flexible spaces where product concepts are developed and demonstrated to Microsoft’s Customers and Partners. The Envisioning Centre is key to this area with products and concepts demonstrated on a series of mini stage sets with changeable, illuminated backdrops and furniture settings depicting a series of different environments. Level 4 East : The Edinburgh Team - A total of 56 open plan workstations (capable of accommodating a mobile workforce of approx 90 staff) are aligned along the window walls to the north and south. The timber-clad, ‘wrap’ form encloses a variety of collaboration spaces and functions - fully glazed meeting pods, open and informal meeting areas, in-trays, cloaks, admin hubs – and terminates at the east end in the café breakout area. Private ‘phone booth’ and high level bench touchdown areas are located at the east end of the space providing the team with further workplace options and, combined with the ‘spine’ and the open plan areas, complete a hierarchy of varied and stimulating workplace environments. Microsoft Scotland Headquarters - Professional Team Project Sponsors: Microsoft Real Estate and Facilities Microsoft Technical Advisors: IT: RGE ITG RSM UK Furniture Procurement: Workplace Designs Security: EMEA | Securitas Security Services AV: RMS Ltd Design and Construction Team: Architect: Michael Laird Architects Project Manager: Faithful and Gould M&E Engineer: White Young Green Quantity Surveyor: Faithful and Gould Planning Supervisor: Faithful and Gould Fitout Contractor: Sharkey Microsoft Scotland offices images / information from Michael Laird Architects Michael Laird Architects : Edinburgh Architects - contact details Waverley Gate image from Hugh Martin Partnership Scottish Architecture: best Scottish Buildings of the last three decades Harvey Nichols Scottish Architects of the past Edinburgh Walking Tours Edinburgh Office Royal Bank of Scotland Edinburgh News : back to index Comments / photos for the Microsoft Scotland Headquarters Edinburgh Architecture page welcome: info@edinburgharchitecture.co.uk Microsoft Scotland Offices : page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt