Lidl GB is one of the country’s leading food retailers, employing over 29,500 people in Great Britain. In 2015, Lidl appointed M Moser to help decide whether to repurpose its existing office or relocate to another site.
The result of this collaboration is Lidl House, a new 250,000 square foot BREEAM Outstanding office building. The site accommodates its 800-strong head office team, with further room to grow.
As the architect, interior designer and lead consultant, we created a modern workspace with four floors, a basement and a multi-level parking lot.
Lidl’s previous head offices covered four sites in Wimbledon, London. After learning about the client’s aspirations, it was clear that the offices could not support Lidl’s growth plans. Splitting departments across multiple buildings also curbed productivity. So, Lidl needed to consolidate its people and real estate to support a ‘one team’ ethos.
During the building search, our architecture team provided technical due diligence and produced feasibility studies for various sites to test their fit. Findings showed a strong preference towards a building with large floor plates to support future growth. Ultimately, this led us to a site in Tolworth that met Lidl’s spatial requirements and more.
Photo match of the planning visual 
We worked closely with the Local Planning Authority (LPA) in the Royal Borough of Kingston (RBK) to select the site for the Lidl House HQ office building. The site was identified as a “Key Area of Change”. Therefore, the LPA expected any new buildings to add to the area’s character, while setting a positive precedent for future developments.
“Lidl House enriches RBK’s aspirations for a ‘gateway site’ on the approach to Tolworth – an entry point to central London. Lidl House has a transformative effect on the local environment. It creates a positive example for future development initiatives. In addition, Lidl is to be an anchor employer for the area. So, it significantly impacts the community by creating new jobs and boosting the local economy”, shares Associate Director and Architect RIBA, ARB, AIA, Nick Toft.
It significantly impacts the community by creating new jobs and boosting the local economy.
Nick Toft, Associate Director and Architect RIBA, ARB, AIA
Our workplace strategy studies established guiding principles for the design. Lidl wanted colleague interaction and collaboration to help drive support for its now network of 950 stores, 13 warehouses and 29,500+ colleagues across Great Britain. Social spaces with refreshment facilities sit on balconies in the atrium beside the main circulation routes. As a result, people move around fluidly, drawn to the community areas at the centre.
“The atrium links everything together. Besides connecting each floor, it opens a line of sight between the main road and the Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) to the rear. There is also an East-West green route connecting the staff entrances with external parkland. Moreover, a south-facing terrace on the 4th floor offers employees fantastic views and outside meeting space”, shares Associate Director and Architect RIBA ARB, Mark Dempsey.
This milestone project for the European team is a remarkable space that supports our mission of using architecture to bring out the best in people. We are excited to see how the design inspires Lidl’s colleagues in the years ahead.
Charlie Millard, Director, Head of Office
Lidl's multi-storey car park is the largest electric vehicle charging installation in the UK. Lidl House provides extensive amenities, making it an attractive destination for people to work. In addition to the workspace, the office interior includes a development kitchen, canteen, conference suite, colleague wellness centre with exercise studios and a large gym in the basement.
The atrium at the heart of the building acts as a multifunctional space. For example, it offers a coffee bar, areas for collaboration and a place to host colleague events.
All workstations benefit from light from the atrium or perimeter glazing. We undertook daylight studies simulating different times of the year to ensure light reaches deep within the floor plates.
Lidl House achieved BREEAM Outstanding and includes several innovative sustainability measures:
We designed the façade to help regulate energy usage. It limits solar gain in summer to reduce cooling loads and maximises it in winter to reduce heating requirements. In turn, this informed the MEP services design.
As the project architect, we used BIM modelling software to coordinate our design with the client’s consultants. Additionally, we used the files to create fly-throughs and 3D-printed models. We also served as the pre-construction lead consultant, managing the BIM Level 2 process and project collaboration software.
Lidl House exemplifies our integrated approach, with close collaboration between multiple disciplines to enhance value and minimise risk. As a team, we assisted the business in achieving its future goals, while providing Lidl’s people with everything they need under one roof.
In summary, this project marks a significant achievement for Lidl GB. Over the years, we’ve supported the business through workplace strategy, feasibility studies, technical due diligence, sustainability and architectural services. We successfully guided the process of designing and constructing the office, which has been the discounter’s proud home since 2022.
Completed
2022
Tolworth, UK
250,000 sq ft
BREEAM Outstanding
Chris Snook
