Creating a Hub for Skills, Innovation and Business Growth
AC Nielsen, a global leader in market research, required a new UK headquarters that could strengthen collaboration, reflect their brand identity, and meet ambitious sustainability targets. The relocation also offered the opportunity to create a workplace shaped around how their teams work today — and how they will continue to evolve in the future.
We designed and delivered a three-storey office building at Oxford Business Park, providing modern, energy efficient workspace tailored to AC Nielsen’s operational needs. Although conceived as a single occupier headquarters, the building was planned with long term adaptability in mind; each floor can be separated and operated independently, ensuring resilience as the organisation grows or changes its working patterns.
The architecture is defined by a clear, L-Shaped form with flat roofs, giving the building a confident, contemporary presence on the business park. This simplicity allows shadow, massing, and proportion to animate each elevation, while a consistent palette of materials creates a cohesive identity.
A robust brick façade with punched hole windows provides durability and a balanced approach to natural daylighting, reducing glare and cooling demand. A more playful, irregular window pattern adds interest and breaks down the scale, while rain screen cladding and varied window forms subtly highlight key entrances and support intuitive way finding.
Inside, we collaborated closely with AC Nielsen to craft a workplace environment that enhances collaboration, creativity, and employee wellbeing. The building incorporates a broadcast room, fully equipped digital conferencing suites, a tech café, café terrace and electric vehicle charging points — ensuring the headquarters supports both people and technology seamlessly.
A key part of the interior design strategy involved creating distinct breakout areas, designed as moments of pause away from the main working floor. These spaces offer staff places to unwind, recharge, and connect informally, fostering a healthier working rhythm and contributing to improved productivity across teams.
By investing in these people centred environments, the project not only delivers an engaging headquarters but also supports AC Nielsen’s growth, helping attract talent and enabling future job creation within the region.
