L’Oréal’s London HQ: A Future-Fit Ecosystem Designed for Entrepreneurial Spirit

The best formulas balance ingredients perfectly to bring out their full potential. L’Oréal’s new London HQ at Gateway Central, designed by Gensler, applies the same philosophy, bringing 36 international brands and over 1,000 employees together in a workplace ecosystem built for the future. Just as every component in a great formulation plays a vital role, the space reflects L’Oréal’s entrepreneurial spirit, giving teams the flexibility and inspiration to shape the next era of beauty, disrupt the market, and allow each brand’s identity to thrive!

L’Oréal Gateway London HQ A dynamic, future-centric workplace that celebrates 90 years of L’Oréal Groupe in the UK

Gateway, situated in the heart of the thriving White City Innovation District, embodies West London’s business hub where creative organisations come together. The design reflects London’s cultural diversity, intertwined with nods to Paris’ fashion and beauty heritage. A ‘Raw Beauty’ concept merges Parisian chic with London’s rebellious spirit in the materiality, featuring high-end elements and industrial touches. Design decisions blend Parisian bistro chairs with a London-style brick barista bar and juxtapose exposed ceilings with French-style wall panelling.

L’Oréal’s new UK HQ, located in West London’s business hub, brings 1000+ employees together under one roof

Located on the ground floor is the L’Oréal Academy – a flagship educational centre that invests in the future of the hair and beauty industry by providing training for over 10,000 professionals each year. With the aim of elevating skills in the sector and pioneering a more inclusive industry, the Academy is designed as a welcoming store-front style space which offers opportunities to learn new skills, try products, and connect with others in the community.

The space includes four hair studios, a colour test lab, an immersive retail experience, and a treatment room for professional training. Users engage in content creation and photography, while the triple height space doubles as an event venue for town halls, performances, and runway shows.

Across other floors are amenities which celebrate a vibrant and creative atmosphere, including a barista bar, community café, boardroom, and library space. With 35% of the space dedicated to purpose-built collaboration zones, such as coworking hubs, meeting rooms and booths of various sizes, and enclosed pods, employees have greater autonomy of where they work in the office.

Overall, the design encourages employees to choose the best work setting according to their function and the task at hand. Alongside prioritising mood and movement in the design concept, L’Oréal was also committed to integrating wellness and sustainability at Gateway.

Facilities such as a wellness room for relaxation and mediation, a multi-faith room, and a parents and caregivers’ room provide spaces that support an inclusive workforce. Gateway also has an ‘Outstanding’ BREEAM Design Stage certification and White City Place is 100% powered by renewable energy, including 8% from rooftop PV panels. Solar-controlled glass reduces AC energy use by half, making it one of the most sustainable buildings in London.

Furniture was thoughtfully selected for the space with meeting room chairs made from 100% recycled plastic and 45% recycled content upholstery. Acoustic panels use 100% recycled PET felt from repurposed plastic bottles, while luxe studio wall panels contain 60% recycled content.

L’Oréal’s new UK HQ, designed by Gensler, realises the Groupe’s vision to create a dynamic workplace for their employees which matches their market-leading position and aims to push the hair and beauty industry to new heights.

As the Groupe celebrates 90 years in the UK, Gateway marks a new chapter in L’Oréal’s history as they continue to cultivate their entrepreneurial, innovative culture and foster inclusivity and connection among their people.

Share

About Alys Bryan

Alys is a knowledgeable design editor who is focused on instigating conversations, both online and in-person, with industry experts which challenge, educate and advance the commercial interior sector. Her training and 15 years of professional experience as a furniture designer for the commercial sector makes her uniquely placed to lead Design Insider as Editor
View all posts by Alys Bryan →