A great workplace isn’t just about how it looks. It’s about whether the space that inspires the employees, reflects the brand they work for, and can keep up as needs change.
That was the thinking behind ARC UK’s partnership with Shell on a bespoke Environmental Graphics & Workplace Branding programme across Shell HQ and 20 York Road in Waterloo, London. The project reshaped several key employee spaces- gym facilities, dining areas, lockers and communal areas- bringing them to life with premium wall graphics, magnetic display systems, bespoke picture frames and large format print.
What Shell ended up with was branding that could actually move with them. Visual messaging could be updated quickly without ripping out permanent installations, internal communication got easier, and the spaces themselves started doing more for employee wellbeing than four walls and a desk ever could.
| Project Detail |
Information |
| Industry | Commercial Energy & Corporate Workplace |
| Client | Shell |
| Service Provided | Environmental Graphics & Workplace Branding |
| Location | Shell HQ & 20 York Road, Waterloo, London |
| Project Type | Corporate Workplace Interior Graphics |
| Graphics Installed | Gym Graphics, Dining Graphics, Locker Graphics, Magnetic Display Systems, Interior Branding |
| Key Challenge | Creating premium workplace graphics that could be updated without replacing permanent installations |
| Key Outcome | Flexible branded environments that improve employee experience while allowing future campaign updates |
Shell is one of the world’s leading energy companies, and that scale shows in how they think about workplace investment – collaboration, employee wellbeing and communication aren’t afterthoughts, they’re built into the environment itself. At their London headquarters, a wide range of teams share the building alongside shared facilities, which meant consistency, flexibility and genuinely high quality interior design weren’t optional extras- they were the baseline.
Even spaces that might seem secondary, like gyms, dining facilities and communal areas, carry real weight here. They shape workplace culture day to day and reinforce what the organisation stands for, whether anyone consciously notices it or not.
Shell wasn’t looking for graphics that simply decorated walls. What they needed was something that could actually shift how people felt in the space- more inspired, more engaged, while giving them a practical way to refresh messaging as campaigns and priorities changed. Installing something that would look dated in a year or two was never on the table. Instead, Shell wanted a solution built to last- premium aesthetics paired with real long-term flexibility.
That’s what shaped the project bespoke manufacturing, an innovative magnetic display system, and environmental graphics produced to a standard that could carry Shell’s brand for years, not months.
Large corporate workplaces are constantly changing.
Internal campaigns evolve. Employee wellbeing initiatives change. Departments relocate. Brand messaging is refreshed. Traditional wall graphics often require complete replacement whenever content changes, creating unnecessary cost and disruption.
Shell needed an approach that balanced premium interior branding with practical flexibility.
The project presented several important challenges:
The solution needed to be visually striking on day one while remaining practical for many years to come.
Planning to refresh your workplace? Speak with ARC UK about workplace branding and environmental graphics solutions tailored to your business.
Every workplace has its own operational requirements, brand standards and employee experience goals. For Shell HQ, the solution needed to combine premium design with the flexibility to evolve over time.
ARC UK managed the project from concept through to installation, delivering an integrated workplace graphics programme that balanced aesthetics, durability and long-term usability.
The scope included:
Rather than relying solely on permanent graphics, ARC UK introduced innovative display systems that allow messaging to be refreshed without replacing the surrounding installation. This provides Shell with a practical, future-proof solution that supports changing campaigns, communications and workplace initiatives.
Picture frames featuring floating magnetic display panels.
Unlike traditional framed graphics, these systems allow printed artwork to be swapped quickly while the frame itself remains permanently installed.
This approach provides several operational advantages:
The result is a display system that continues to deliver value long after the initial installation.
Each area within Shell HQ serves a different purpose, so the graphics needed to support the way employees interact with each environment.
ARC UK created graphics for a variety of workplace spaces, including:
Motivational environmental graphics transformed the fitness facilities into an engaging space that supports employee wellbeing and creates a more enjoyable workout environment.
Dining graphics helped create welcoming communal spaces where employees can relax while remaining connected to Shell’s workplace identity.
Custom locker graphics introduced consistency throughout employee facilities while enhancing the overall appearance of frequently used spaces.
Large format wall graphics introduced colour, visual interest and brand messaging across communal environments without overwhelming the architecture.
Removable posters and magnetic icon roundels provide flexible communication tools that can be updated as workplace campaigns evolve.
Every installation was carefully considered to ensure it complemented the surrounding architecture while remaining practical for everyday use.
Delivering workplace graphics within an occupied headquarters requires careful planning and close collaboration.
ARC UK managed every stage of production and installation, giving Shell a single partner throughout the project lifecycle.
The delivery included:
Managing every stage in-house ensured consistent quality, efficient communication and complete control over production standards.
ARC UK worked with Shell to understand the objectives for each workplace environment, assessing how graphics could enhance employee spaces while remaining adaptable for future use.
Designs were refined to suit individual locations, ensuring every graphic aligned with Shell’s visual standards and the surrounding interior architecture.
Custom wooden frames, magnetic display systems, vinyl graphics and large format printed elements were produced using high-quality materials selected for durability and appearance.
Every component underwent detailed quality checks, including colour accuracy, print quality, fabrication standards and finishing before leaving production.
Experienced installation teams fitted every graphic with precision across gyms, dining areas, lockers and communal environments while minimising disruption to workplace operations.
The completed project was inspected to ensure every installation met Shell’s expectations and provided a flexible platform for future workplace communications.
Looking for a workplace graphics partner that can manage everything from design to installation? Talk to the ARC UK team
The completed workplace branding programme delivered much more than attractive interiors.
It created adaptable environments that support communication, employee engagement and long-term operational flexibility.
Key outcomes included:
By combining bespoke manufacturing with practical design thinking, ARC UK delivered a solution that continues to provide value well beyond the initial installation.
Although a formal client testimonial was not included in the original project documentation, the successful delivery demonstrates ARC UK’s ability to combine innovative workplace graphics, bespoke manufacturing and precision installation to create flexible environments that support long-term workplace communication and employee engagement.
Organisations across the UK trust ARC UK to deliver workplace graphics programmes that combine creativity, technical expertise and dependable project management.
For projects like Shell HQ, clients benefit from:
Whether delivering graphics for a single office or a multi-site corporate estate, ARC UK creates workplace environments that are engaging, adaptable and built to last.
Want to create a more engaging workplace? Contact ARC UK today to discuss your workplace branding and environmental graphics project.
Whether you’re refreshing a corporate headquarters, upgrading employee spaces or creating adaptable workplace branding, ARC UK delivers tailored environmental graphics that combine creativity, functionality and long-term flexibility.
If you’re planning a workplace refurbishment, office rebrand or employee engagement initiative, we’ll help you deliver graphics. Request a consultation today
