Geraghty Taylor Architects has completed the first London office of Hortonworks, the high tech Californian-based start-up. The move reflects the company’s continued growth and success in international markets and also brings a new Hadoop open source Community Hub to Central London. The new office location will take advantage of the wealth of tech talent in the area and better serve Hortonworks’ rapidly growing customer and partner basis.

Echoing the company’s expertise in innovative open source software, the new London office has a focus on opens collaborative spaces to encourage chance encounters, rather than using traditional office workstations. Hortonworks’ partners – the prestigious list includes Jaguar, The Home Office and Zurich Insurance – and employees alike are actively encouraged to spend time in the front of house area to create a greater connection and opportunities to interact with the open source community.

Geraghty Taylor were able to combine pioneering BIM and 3D design expertise with a strong understanding of tech sector trends to create practical, state-of-the-art offices for 35 UK staff. Clear leadership and direction was vital to successfully translate this mature but dynamic brand into the UK. The Hortonworks leadership team engaged with partners, customers and the Hadoop community to discuss how the new space could best benefit all parties. Their feedback was used to both decide on the new location in the heart of the London financial district and to influence the design of the new headquarters. As a result, the new facility significantly increases Hortonworks’ current floor space. In addition to equipping the company with an open environment promoting collaboration, the new space encourages individuals and teams to interact and share ideas. This clarity in the project brief together with a strong consultant team dynamic enabled the fast track delivery of this highest quality, integrated solution.