Barclays Campus, Clyde Place, Glasgow.

Our remit spanned the inclusive layout and facilities of all internal areas including reception areas, office spaces, meeting rooms, break-out zones, and communal dining facilities. Across the campus we made inclusive design recommendations on all interior finishes including lighting, contrast, acoustics, biophilia, and signage. All of which play a vital role in creating office spaces that make everyone feel welcome and included.

Raising the bar

In-line with the partnership mission we helped Barclays raise the bar significantly beyond design for minimum standards and physical access by incorporating:

• Rest points and ‘quiet’ routes externally and internally 
• Neurodivergent-friendly spaces including recalibration rooms and optimal toilet design with reduced decibel washroom hand dryers
• Wheelchair and ambulant accessible toilets and Changing Places facilities 
• Optimal office design including biophilia 

Travelling to site 

Routes to and from the new campus were included in our scope of work because we identify that inclusive workplaces begin with a person’s journey from home. The Motionspot team conducted a ‘journey survey’ by foot, wheelchair, and public transport with Glasgow City Council to identify potential challenges for Barclays staff and visitors accessing the campus from a range of transport links.

Our approach considered cognitive, sensory, and physical needs and resulted in recommendations to promote a calm transition into the workplace, including intuitive wayfinding, rest points, and quiet routes.

Neurodivergent-friendly spaces

Recalibration rooms

Further to working closely with Barclays' internal disability groups and organisations such as Scottish Autism we recommended the incorporation of recalibration rooms. These have an emphasis on the sensory experience and were designed to meet the needs of the many autistic people who have developed strategies that include sensory recalibration. 

Sensory toilet design 

Consideration of specific sensory disabilities extended to toilet design. Arrangements include stand-alone cubicles or ‘superloos’, comprising a toilet, basin, and hand drying equipment for added privacy, security, and choice. Hand drier decibel level was also reduced to lessen sensory overload. Find out more about autism friendly toilet design.

Gender signage on toilet doors was also carefully considered. The badging on each cubicle was equally split between male, female, and gender neutral to be inclusive to all colleagues and allow choice. Find out more about All Gender Toilets.

Changing Places facilities

In addition to the provision of wheelchair accessible and ambulant accessible toilets on every level, Changing Places facilities were planned into each of the three main buildings on the Glasgow campus. Changing Places toilets have space for carers to accompany people with more complex needs to the toilet. They also contain specialist equipment including ceiling track hoists and height-adjustable changing benches and basins. Barclays' Changing Places facilities can be accessed by people who require them across the Glasgow area.

Optimal office design 

To provide as much choice as possible, open plan areas were broken up into carefully designed working zones and meeting rooms. All features from desks and doors to kitchen areas are wheelchair accessible. Biophilia, hearing loops, and braille signage have been added throughout the buildings. 

Barclays has employed more disabled people, including autistic staff, into technical roles at is Glasgow Headquarters. It has seen an increase in staff returning to the office post lockdown, and recorded employees expressing greater wellbeing, belonging and improved concentration in their new inclusively designed workplace. 

In addition, as a direct result of Motionspot's work, Glasgow City Council invested £1.5m to improve access in the public spaces surrounding the Barclays campus.

The British Council for Offices has been described the completed campus as being: “A mixed-use ecosystem that spurs originality and produces new synergies. Biophilic design elements fill the cafeteria area, while staff swings are in one of the offices.”

Inclusive Design Standard

Based on the success of the initial project, Motionspot works with Barclays on a number of other offices, including shaping their international Inclusive Design Standard. Our team has presented to the Barclays Global Corporate Real Estate team to encourage improved accessibility across all Barclays locations.