Xero’s intention for their new office in Devonshire Square, London was to create a workplace that stood out as a global exemplar of contemporary office design. The emphasis was on combining aesthetic innovation with functionality to achieve an environment that resonates with clients, partners, and employees alike.

The goal was clear: to craft a space that not only inspires but actively supports hybrid work dynamics while celebrating Xero’s brand ethos. The focus was to deliver an inspiring client and partner experience.

‘From the outset, Siren demonstrated an exceptional ability to understand and translate our vision into a dynamic and inspiring workplace.’

Whitney Park, Director Workplace Experience, Americas, UK and EMEA, Xero

During initial site visits we instantly recognised that the warmth and lightness of the base build design finishes should continue throughout the new interior. The unusual building shape allowed us to be creative in the way rooms were positioned and zoning to the cafe gave us the chance to have active and quiet spaces naturally separated.

Our response to the brief was to create a design that impressed both visually and functionally. The concept was brought to life through a series of interventions: site influence, framing views, diversity of forms and balancing textures.

Even though each elevation of the L-shaped floor plan has glazed windows, this space had a lack of exposure to consistent bright daylight. As a result we avoided the use of any black or dark finishes throughout the scheme.

A standout of the design was the social space terrace. On sunny days the daylight casts a warm glow to the terracotta floor tiles and makes the space feel as if the glazed façade disappears, blurring the barrier between the outdoor courtyard and landscaped spaces of Devonshire Square and the built interior.

Despite the relatively small and cranked floor plate, the spatial design achieved a variety of work and meeting settings. It includes a collaboration and touchdown corner and a variety of meeting room sizes and types and a soft lounge room for podcasting and business photography. In addition, we were able to create a space for the client teams to be able to come together as one group.

This is truly a beautiful workspace where form and function meet in harmony.