BDG unites 12 creative agencies at WPP’s Atlanta Campus

Photography: Eric Laignel

Revealing the latest outpost for international communications company WPP, London-based studio BDG architecture + design has crafted a new home for over 400 employees from across 12 different creative and media agencies. This follows BDG’s completion of WPP’s Manchester campus at the end of 2023, and takes a similar approach by keeping collaboration, flexibility and creativity at the heart of the concept. The WPP Atlanta Campus – based in central Atlanta, Georgia – is the newest addition to the largest mixed-use development in the Beltline, an urban renewal project committed to reclaiming and regenerating the disused railways throughout the southern US state.

When creating a design concept for the campus, BDG distilled the influence of the surrounding Beltline into three underlying themes: ‘roots’ (indicative of the past), ‘journey’ (the present) and ‘transformation’ (the future). These themes are brought to life in the new hub through the through a focus on materiality – softening bare, industrial metal finishes with a warm colour palette and natural textures – and the introduction of integrated office technology throughout. Further strengthening this local connection, the campus is also furnished with an array of locally sourced materials and products, including Georgia stone terrazzo, furniture from local manufacturers and artwork supplied by Atlantan artists.

Entering via the main reception, visitors to the Atlanta campus are welcomed by a striking collaboration space in the hallway opposite – a vibrant room with curved charcoal walls and plush red booth seating, BDG intended this space to convey the company’s bold, collaborative ethos from the jump. Envisioned as an open-plan, multi-functional space, the reception and arrival area opens up into a working lounge and collaboration area full of plush, spacious sofas, brightened by an abundance of natural light from south-facing windows, botanical prints and indoor planting.

Further inside, WPP staff have access to a host of specialist amenities tailored to the company’s creative needs, including edit suites, a photography studio, workshop spaces and a client lounge. Prioritising user experience and circulation, smaller meeting rooms and client lounges are also on hand to offer employees a private setting for focused work or private discussions. Finally, BDG infused more character into the space through unique installations such as a trainline-inspired wall in one of the campus’ main corridors, as well as the use of natural grain timbers, curved architectural lines and textured upholstery, all of which help to offset the building’s industrial shell.