DOES THE SPACE YOU WORK IN MAKE YOU SMILE? Something exciting is happening in the creative heart of Birmingham. Breaking away from the corporate mould Developers BLOK Properties have started work on a £2.4 million scheme on Heath Mill Lane that is going to offer a unique opportunity to where people choose to work. Designed by creatives, for creatives Rhubarb is built around BLOK’s ethos ‘blokwork’ which offers the concept of contemporary living rather than a typical office environment. It’s not just about a space but a brand, and one that puts creative business at the fore. BLOK have managed to combine their own ideas of what a creative space could be with the flair of award winning Birmingham architects, Bryant Priest Newman, and progressive advertising and design agency Black and Ginger. Fusing together a working partnership the three, very separate, companies have continually worked side-by-side from concept to vision to create a distinctive brand. “Blok’s approach is different to many,” comments Black and Ginger’s Creative Director Alex Frech. “The majority of developers pay little attention to branding at all. In that respect we are very fortunate to be working with such a forward thinking company.” This is mirrored by the Project Architect Phill Shepherd: “The concept of incorporating an identity through collaboration with a marketing agency is a unique feature, it created a unified concept that allowed the building to match the aspirations of Blok Properties.”
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The concept for the style of the building came from studying the local area and interpreting it into the building plans in a creative and modern approach. “We wanted to incorporate the creative atmosphere that surrounds the Custard Factory through the use of Colour and traditional building materials.” States Shepherd. The building has a strong element of style. From its dark brickwork to the splashes of bold colour on the glazing integrating Black and Gingers interpretation of the Rhubarb Stick brand with Bryant Priest Newman’s building design. “Working alongside a marketing agency was a new concept to me”, adds Shepherd. “We have worked in collaboration with Artists on other projects but the challenge of incorporating a branding into the design has prevented it from being just another office development.” Standing right in the heart of the creative arts and media quarter the new development offers a blend of stylish workspace, designed interiors and an equally hot looking exterior. The space fuses the idea of what an office needs to do be with tasteful contemporary urban living - all designed with the ‘creative’ in mind. Loving the work you do is one thing but loving where you do it can be something totally different. If the space that you spend your eight hours a