The start of July has seen the tennis world descending on London SW19 for its annual celebration of all things crisp, white, bouncy and competitive! Yes, it’s Wimbledon fortnight and we can’t get enough of it. It’s easy to get carried away with this quintessentially English sporting tradition and we are no exception. So how can the wonders of Wimbledon inspire commercial decoration?
Colours
The colours that we see in the tournament are a prime example of the ‘less is more’ theory. Think green, white and yellow for a look that screams crisp efficiency with a hint of summertime positivity. Wimbledon’s all-white uniform rule brings further consistency in the colour palate of the event. We certainly don’t suggest that you enforce an all white clothes rule on your staff, however, the very defined colour structure of Wimbledon demonstrates how sticking to a specific and considered colour scheme can reflect your organisational values.
Space
The All England Club has changed radically since the first championships were held in 1877 and this is not just from the construction and development of new courts. Facilities, access and sustainability are all key aspects of improvement to the site and should be considered by anyone looking to develop the layout and design of their own commercial or public space. The flow of people around this London festival of tennis is methodical and clear, and indeed evolving as should any commercial office, public or educational building. By laying out your space to encourage natural flow, the environment itself enhances relationships and productivity.
Planning
Wimbledon’s venue “Master Plan” includes a target to: ‘Establish a long-term framework to ensure that future development is carried out in a coordinated, sustainable and resilient manner’. This is a universal pledge that can offer inspiration for any refurbishment, as it puts the sustainable and sympathetic use of a space at the forefront of its development.
Branding
We can all learn from the clarity of branding that London’s seminal tennis tournament has to offer. It’s more than just a logo though, the whole site and experience reinforces and reflects the branding and values of the event. The site itself and the literature that guides visitors around it are clear of interruption, almost stark and therefore work to reflect the established nature of the event.
Weather
Despite the fact that centre court’s retractable roof has made tennis action marginally more reliable, the great British weather still plays a huge part in the event. And so it does with any space, whether inside or out. Social spaces especially benefit from having a touch of the outdoors, either through design or by including a roof terrace or courtyard. Consider the light levels that different times of year allow in your space and develop ideas of layout and colour accordingly.
Strawberries (of course!)
The final part of Wimbledon that is utterly central to how the event is perceived is, of course, strawberries! There’s no need to rush out and buy a selection of soft fruit for your office space though – just consider that for a fruit to become intrinsically linked with a sporting event in this way is rare, even unheard of. So, contemplate how the symbols of your own organisation work for your image. How can they be reflected within the design and decoration of your premises?
So, while we all enjoy these two weeks of tennis (and rain delays) that Wimbledon offers, spare a thought for how the tournament and venue could inspire your next commercial refurbishment. It may well be that inspiration could come from the most unexpected sources. The only thing remaining is to find and appoint a decorator who understands these levels of design in order to correctly implement your vision.
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