Bank One Headquarters, Cardiff
1999-2003

Following a competitive selection process, Terry Farrell and Partners developed scheme design development proposals for Bank One for a new Operations Centre and Headquarters building, which was conceived as a landmark project to respond to its waterfront location with views over Roath Basin, Junction Lock and Commercial Dock in Cardiff.

The development proposals consisted of a 250,000 sq.ft., operations centre and European headquarters located on a 4.7 acre site at Junction Lock, Cardiff. The accommodation was arranged over four floors together with an amenities building. The requirement was to provide office accommodation, constructed in two phases, fully fitted out for 600 staff, with a range of support facilities and 700 car park spaces on site.

The entrance lobby was located in the centre of the main building creating a significant corporate 'front door' to the development. The atrium floor linked all parts of the building at podium level, and acted as a 'street,' encouraging interaction and communication between all employees. Optimization of natural light and water views were essential components of the design approach. Floor plates suitable for open plan and cellular office layouts were used. The office floor plates were arranged on an 18metre grid with a central atrium providing excellent natural light to the whole office plate.

Bank One viewed the new development as an opportunity to move to a new prestigious headquarters facility, where the built environment would not only meet their operational needs but would provide a workplace for their staff, which promoted efficiency and a sense of wellbeing. The ensuing TFP design proposals reflected those characteristics.