We began working with London’s leading arbitration hearing centre, IDRC, The International Dispute Resolution Centre during the pandemic. Approaching a lease renewal, IDRC was looking to relocate and redesign a larger space that would be more progressive, agile, covid safe and accommodate their specialised working styles. We undertook an extensive consultation and design development process while working remotely to make their concept a reality

IDRC moved to an impressive space close to St Paul’s Cathedral, making it an ideal destination to commute to for local, national, and international businesses. IDRC wanted a new space that reflected its vision incorporating state-of-the-art technology for maximum connectivity.

New ways of working were adopted for arbitration with the adoption of hybrid hearings conducted live from their new space and connecting to people around the globe. To make this possible, each hearing room was equipped with voice-activated cameras, ceiling microphones and multiple 100-inch monitors to ensure the virtual evidence was as vivid and clear as live evidence. Power and Wi-Fi points were also installed in the hearing rooms’ furniture to provide seamless connectivity.

Having a strong relationship with the client, Damian Hickman, CEO, was essential to the project. Planning the move for five years, Damian selected the premises and made decisions on renovations from the feedback given on the current premises over the years, providing valuable insight for the design for the building.

The new space was transformed to hold 16 hearings simultaneously. Offering a selection of breakout rooms, lounges, private offices, as well as a flexible dining hall, conference and entertainment space for the resident organisations, arbitrators and mediators to use. In addition, two large hearing rooms have the capacity to host over 200 people for significant arbitration hearings or public inquiries. The rooms have 48-decibel soundproofing to ensure confidentiality during their proceedings.

Considering the significant number of people it hosted in the building, IDRC decided to take additional measures to ensure their safety, requesting a new air conditioner with an innovative, safe air system installed. This was a new system to the UK and had a 99% success rate in reducing the spread of viruses and other air contaminants throughout the building.

Due to the sensitive and intense nature of the hearings, IDRC also wanted to provide clients with an area to regroup during the hearings. An exclusive lounge was designed with meeting booths and break out sofas in memory of the great Johnny Veeder, “recognised worldwide as one of the most brilliant, visionary and respected counsel, arbitrators, scholars and teachers in the field of international dispute resolution and international law.”

With businesses worldwide visiting the building, IDRC wanted to make it clear where they were and easy to locate with strong exterior branding and a welcoming, contemporary reception space.