Unilever Head Office

Bowmer & Kirkland, Surrey

The central atrium was a key part of the building’s architectural identity, creating a strong first impression for visitors while improving movement and communication between departments. Alloy Fabweld’s helical staircases played an important role in this space, providing sculptural vertical connections that were both practical and visually striking.

The staircases required careful engineering and fabrication to achieve their complex curved forms. Their design combined structural performance with architectural impact, creating elegant focal points that complemented the clean internal lines of the building. The glass-enclosed staircase added a further layer of technical complexity, demanding precise coordination between steelwork, glazing and surrounding finishes.

Alloy Fabweld also contributed to the wider feature steelwork of the building through the external feature staircase, enclosed fire escape stairs and glazed angular roof trusses. These elements helped support the building’s safety, circulation and architectural character, while the roof trusses added light and drama to the internal spaces.

The quality and innovation of the project were recognised with a Structural Steel Design Awards Certificate of Merit, reflecting the technical ambition and craftsmanship involved. Alloy Fabweld’s contribution to Unilever Head Office demonstrates their ability to deliver complex, design-led feature steelwork for major commercial buildings, combining precision fabrication, architectural detail and practical performance.

"Alloy Fabweld delivered an outstanding feature steelwork package for Unilever Head Office. Their work on the helical staircases, glass-enclosed stair, roof trusses and escape stairs showed exceptional technical skill, precision and attention to detail, helping to create a workplace with real architectural impact."

Project Manager

Staircase

Unilever Head Office in Leatherhead, Surrey was developed as a state-of-the-art workplace designed to bring together many of Unilever’s UK business operations into one modern headquarters. Located within Leatherhead Office Park, the building was created around open working, strong internal connections and a central atrium intended to act as the heart of the workplace.

Within this high-profile commercial scheme, Alloy Fabweld was appointed to deliver a £2.1 million feature steelwork package. Their scope included four helical feature staircases, one of which was enclosed within a glass tube, along with an external feature staircase, glazed angular roof trusses forming the northern lights and enclosed fire escape stairs.