Named after a fictional British character created by Herman Cyril McNeile in the 1920s, Bulldog Drummond is a design agency based in the Banker’s Hill district of San Diego. The original Bulldog’s adventures begin with an advertisement in the local newspaper: “Demobilised Officer finding peace incredibly tedious would welcome diversion. Legitimate if possible; but crime of a humorous description, no objection. Excitement essential.”
His San Diego namesake has a slightly less cavalier, but equally unconventional approach to its work; something CEO Shawn Parr calls “uncommon sense”; the belief that a combination of simplicity, determination and a bit of old fashioned common sense can solve the most complex challenges, and make the most of the biggest of opportunities.
HQ since 1997 is ‘Chartwell Manor’; a converted Victorian house, named after the country home of Sir Winston Churchill; a Californian take on traditional British design.
Shawn Parr, Bulldog Drummond’s CEO, led the interior design of this space himself and wanted to create “an inviting and warm experience for fellow Bulldogs and visitors alike.” He wanted to bring ‘uncommon sense’ to life and create a space that people would immediately feel at home in.
Taking ‘home at work’ as a starting point, and inspiration from London members’ clubs and hotels, the space includes a living room and dining room, an outdoor working patio (only in California!), and large open desks rather than offices.
He says: “It amazes me still, that every new visitor comments on how special the Manor feels… it feels like the home you’d love to live in, but it’s a place to come to work.”
I like the balance Shawn has achieved between creating a calm, ordered space for structured working, and providing inspirational and flexible surroundings for his team.
Further reading for the especially geeky:
- creative spaces :: stockholm
- creative spaces :: jailmake
- creative spaces :: lovely pigeon
- creative spaces :: godrich interiors
