Situated in the heart of Edinburgh’s Haymarket, CA House is the global HQ of ICAS. The aim was to improve the visitor experience through alteration and refurbishment of the reception creating a more open plan and welcoming feel, and enhancing and maintaining a first class environment for delegates and visitors that inspires learning and education.

Key to the success was the integration of the company branding and capturing the progressive image of the profession. Following the extensive refurbishment ICAS now offer world class meeting space in the heart of Edinburgh.

Babak Sasan of SASANBELL said: “The Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland known as ICAS, had spent a lot of careful time recently over rebranding the institute to reflect its heritage, membership and its global influence. Their headquarters in Edinburgh however had not caught up with that rebranding and was in desperate need of modernisation.”

As part that exercise, SASANBELL studio also looked at rationalisation of existing spaces in order to provide better use of their accommodation. The new spaces are designed to change the enclosed nature of rooms and corridors that were not utilised properly and move more towards a large open plan area that can provide a more inclusive feel for visitors and occupiers.

Since the early 1800’s the institute had accumulated a large number of paintings and books that they simply had no room to display for visitors. For this SASANBELL utilised what used to be corridor walls behind closed doors into a ‘heritage wall’ that in large now forms part of the reception space where arts and graphics portray ICAS’ rich heritage and story.

Visual clues are provided to separate spaces with open archways and colonnades without creating physical barriers. The ability to move freely between spaces was as important as defining each space for the function it served.

Movable partitions to meeting room off the waiting area and touch down zone will double the size of the space once opened, allowing for functions to take place at the ground floor.

Anton Collela, chief executive of ICAS, said: “We are combining our heritage, which sets us apart as one of the world’s most respected professional bodies, with a modern and universal identity.”

The Masterbrand coloured circles represent the three funding cities of Glasgow (Green), Aberdeen (Red), and Edinburgh (yellow). The fourth circle represent Scotland (blue). All deriving from the original ICAS crest. The colours also represent Chartered Accountants, Students, affiliates and clients of ICAS.

The project team comprises – P3 cost consultants and Troup Bywater + Anders, mechanical & electrical consultant.