Designing a Home for Out-of-Home Advertising

 

 

Founded in London nearly 14 years ago, Talon has grown into a global leader in its field, connecting advertisers with people in the real world – through billboards, street furniture, public transport, and so on – where campaigns come to life.

 

Talon’s business is embedded in the urban fabric, transforming everyday public environments into canvases for storytelling. The company sought a new space that would reflect their growth without losing their start-up energy.  

 

 

Occupying two floors on Shaftesbury Avenue, the new headquarters is situated in the epicentre of London’s cultural and entertainment district. Steps from Soho, Piccadilly Circus, and Chinatown, the space is surrounded by the very media Talon trades in – an environment where the brand comes into its own.

 

Gensler’s design translates this ethos into a workspace that mirrors the vibrancy of the area – a lively collision of culture, people, and activity – while offering calm within, creating a seamless dialogue between the company’s purpose and its place. 

 

 

The interiors draw on the textures and colours of the surrounding streets: terracotta carpet reminiscent of brick buildings, timber screen walls that nod to masonry façades, and tactile materials that evoke the grit and character of the neighbourhood. A feature ceiling element – nicknamed ‘the dragon’ – runs through the town hall area in an angular line that echoes the building’s exterior form.

 

Its design gives a subtle nod to Chinatown while also reflecting Talon’s work: AI was used to process imagery from their billboards, creating an abstract, pixelated celebration of their campaigns that is subtly embedded above head. 

 

   

Upon entering, the reception and townhall double as a coffee bar, event space, and social hub. Pitch rooms are designed to optimise engagement with clients, while a variety of work settings – from quiet zones to collaborative lounges – support Talon’s hybrid work model, and their people-first culture.

 

Bay windows become pockets of connection between inside and out, creating intimate spaces where teams and clients can meet, work, or simply enjoy the view. Reused furniture, retained CAT A elements, and British-sourced materials and furniture ground the project in authenticity.  

 

Talon’s new headquarters was shaped by five key ambitions that reflect the company’s evolving identity and future direction. At its core is an entrepreneurial spirit, valuing openness, collaboration, and shared success.

 

The space is designed to attract and nurture top-tier talent, particularly within specialist and tech disciplines, offering an environment that supports development and creativity. 

 

 

Equally important is the focus on clients. The office is a place to welcome and engage with current and prospective partners, showcasing Talon’s portfolio and deepening relationships. Technology plays a central role, with future-ready infrastructure that supports a digital-first business model and helps attract the next generation of talent.

 

Underpinning it all is a commitment to creative sustainability – an ambition to lead on ESG through authentic, visible actions embedded in the design, materials, and day-to-day operations of the space. 

 

Talon’s ambition to lead in ESG is evident throughout the project, with the design embracing sustainability in a meaningful and practical way. More than 65% of the furniture was reused, significantly reducing the project’s environmental footprint. Materials were sourced locally, and the existing, Cat A architecture was carefully leveraged to minimise waste.

 

Durable, natural materials were selected not only for their longevity but also for their alignment with Talon’s values. All lighting in the space is LED and energy efficient, while biophilic principles were applied to enhance comfort, access to views, and overall wellbeing. 

Diversity of space was a priority from the outset. The workplace caters to a multigenerational team, with particular attention paid to neurodiverse needs and different working styles. Quiet zones with darker palettes offer refuge from stimulation, while open areas support social connection and teamwork.

 

 

As Talon’s first self-designed space, it includes features previously missing from their environments: a wellbeing room, quiet “carriage”, flexible collaboration areas, and a greater variety of focus settings. The layout empowers employees to choose how and where they work, supporting both productivity and wellbeing. 

Talon’s new home brings together place, purpose, and people. It’s a space where clients feel welcomed and inspired, where teams feel supported and connected, and where a British-born business can continue to grow with confidence on the global stage. Through its focus on context, creativity, inclusion, and sustainability, the office brings Talon’s brand of out-of-home media, inside their new HQ.