General Pharmaceutical Council

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) recognised the need to reassess its working environment to align with their Vision 2030. With the urgency of relocating following the landlord’s decision to repossess their current space, GPhC found the ideal location in the heart of Canary Wharf at 1 Cabot Square.

Bond Bryan was tasked with transforming this modern 21-storey building into a flexible, collaborative space to support GPhC’s growth and vision. Despite a tight timeline, we delivered a high-quality design that would meet their evolving operational needs.

Our goal was to deliver maximum value while maintaining high standards for GPhC’s new office. Through a comprehensive value engineering process, we explored alternatives for furniture and joinery that maintained quality and functionality while ensuring cost efficiency. We also involved the GPhC team directly by arranging showroom visits, enabling them to experience furniture options and make informed decisions.

This led to the installation of flexible spaces like focus pods and collaborative desks, striking the right balance between open collaboration and private work areas. The result was a workspace that aligned perfectly with GPhC’s future-focused ways of working.

We prioritised a local supply chain, with the majority of the project team located within 30 miles of the site. Beyond numbers, we actively engaged in community initiatives such as charity events, litter-picking, food bank donations, and work placements with the Leonard Cheshire partnership.

The project also welcomed young people through The Construction Youth Trust and raised awareness of mental health through the Mental Health World Cup. This made the GPhC relocation a meaningful contribution to the community.

Sustainability was central to the GPhC project, from design to implementation. We focused on minimising environmental impact by reusing elements from the previous office, such as ceiling tiles, lighting, and cooling fans.

This not only reduced waste but also helped create a sense of continuity for staff. The design incorporated energy-efficient technologies and sustainable materials throughout, supporting our commitment to reducing the building’s carbon footprint.