We were commissioned by Guardian Media Group to create a multi-use quiet room including a prayer space at its London HQ.

The challenge was to transform 3m sq of office space into somewhere that could be used equally for prayer and for non-religious contemplation, meditation and relaxation.

The goal, to create a room that not only functions, but feels good too. A place that nurtures the senses and provides a space for the rejuvenation of mind, body and spirit.  for brief moment at work.

The design concept was influenced by the stillness and simplicity of the Japanese tea ceremony. This was seen as a good neutral approach to meeting the objective of a prayer room that did not exclude the majority of staff who would be using it for non-religious purposes.

Subtle lighting and colour were used to create a calm atmosphere and an illusion of space so that the room appeared more spacious than it was. An evocative theme borrowing forms found in nature was employed throughout the design to invoke the inviting warmth of sunlight into an otherwise windowless space.

“The room has been finished with care to every detail. From our first meeting Helen understood the atmosphere we wanted to create. The room exceeded the brief and is a beautiful and welcoming space for our staff.”Emma Kiwanuka, Equality and Diversity manager

The completed room is an impressive especially as we were working with a very limited space and budget. Helen’s design completely transformed a drab, redundant corner office into an inviting and calming sanctuary.Dee Neligan, building services manager