Eco-friendly Moveable Wall at KPMG’s ‘Green’ Building

Leading the way in environmental efficiency, KPMG’s Ignition Centre, in the heart of Canary Wharf, aims to maximise the use of a large meeting area with the installation of two Dorma Hüppe Variflex moveable walls. Available from sole UK distributor and market-leading partitioning experts, Style, the Variflex system is certified with an EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) in accordance with ISO 14025 and EN 15804, reflecting KPMG’s commitment to sustainability.

Style worked with MCM Architects and Mace interiors to deliver a contemporary solution that would bring greater flexibility to the main meeting room. The individual elements of the two Variflex systems can be quickly manoeuvred into place, efficiently dividing the space into smaller working areas - which is particularly relevant given current social distancing requirements.

Semi-automatic operation ensures the substantial rubber seals expand to exactly the required level to create an impressive 55dB acoustic divide, allowing employees to work undisturbed, at all times.
Complementing the contemporary interior décor of the offices, the panels were finished in two contrasting fabrics.

“We’ve installed many moveable walls for KPMG and were delighted to be chosen again for this 21st century ‘green’ building,” said Julian Sargent, Style’s group managing director.

“Dorma Hüppe’s Variflex is a world-leading moveable wall that offers incredible acoustic ratings on panels of just 100mm thick, which is something generally only possible with heavier panels. The Variflex panels are also manufactured separately to the frame, meaning the panel linings are easy to change if one is damaged or scuffed, or if the interior design of a room changes in the future.”

Style also installed another four Variflex systems in a separate part of KPMG’s offices, including a magnetic white board finish which could be used in meetings, presentations and brainstorming sessions.

KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing audit, tax and advisory services and is one of the largest accountancy firms in the world with 7,300 London staff employed at the Ignition Centre.