Case Study: Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Headquarters, 25 Fenchurch Avenue, London

Four of the eight floors of the startling wedge-shaped Willis Building on Fenchurch Avenue, commonly known as The Podium Block, have been occupied by insurance giant, Mitsui Sumitomo, following a high-spec interior fit-out by Maris Interiors. The scheme involves extensive use of Concord products, specified by electrical contractors, Portico Ltd and interior designers, Maris Interiors.

Concord's new Officelyte Air Handling system was utilised in all the open-plan office spaces, plus all the larger enclosed offices. Designed to deliver installation savings and less cluttered ceilings, the system allows luminaires to be integrated into a building's ventilation system. Its primary air-handling capacity comprises four air grilles inserted along the luminaire case, providing inlets to the negative plenum, so that 20 litres of extracted air can be recycled or expelled per second. Officelyte's design capabilities were underlined by the way the layout also follows the curve of the building in an interesting arc.

Mark Sheerman, the Director for Maris Interiors, comments: 'Mitsui Sumitomo required a high specification interior that delivered the very best quality in all areas. Working closely with Portico Ltd & Concord's design team, we were able to achieve a truly extensive and innovative lighting system for the office space.'

Architect: Foster & Partners
Lighting Design: Concord in conjunction witth Maris Interiors
Interior Design: Maris Interiors
Electrical Contractor: Portico Ltd