COOL COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

Companies

by Nicky Godding, Editor

In the dark old days of the 20th century, all a worker might expect from their employer was a desk, chair and phone in a poorlyadapted old building, or anonymous office block in a cheap-to-lease part of town. You’d even have to bring your own plant.

But those employers have had an epiphany. They now realise that a welldesigned commercial building, inside and out, where light and creative and collaborative space abound, boosts productivity and often encourages employees and users to stay longer.

Everyone should enjoy the space where they earn or learn, according to Aled Roberts, director at architect Roberts Limbrick. "After two years of staying at home more than ever before, we’re seeing a new generation of commercial buildings, designed to tempt people away from the comfort of their houses. Whether it’s beautiful buildings, collaborative spaces, or state-of-the-art technology, people are expecting more from the places they use to work or study.

“At Roberts Limbrick, we've updated our own offices since the start of the pandemic to create a more sociable atmosphere with a variety of spaces for everyone to work. This is a trend we’re seeing more of as companies realise that a great space can boost wellness, morale and productivity.”

The commercial buildings on this list cover everything from city centre research centres to countryside offices, showing the amazing variety this region has to offer.

Formal House, Cheltenham

UWE Bristol School of Engineering

This building won the RIBA South West Award 2022 and RIBA South West Project Architect of the Year Award 2022

The brief called for interaction between

The Undercroft Learning Centre, Worcester Cathedral

The conversion of the former monastic storage rooms into the new Undercroft Learning Centre at Worcester Cathedral provides an innovative and versatile venue for the whole community.

departments and spaces which promoted collaboration between students, staff and visitors in order to more closely reflect how modern engineering, research and problem-solving are tackled in industry.

Green Gourmet, Stonehouse

This year, food innovation company Green Gourmet became a certified Great Place to Work. We can see why.

Engine Shed, Bristol

The Engine Shed opened in 2015 after a £1.7 million investment to transform Brunel’s original station at Temple Meads and it’s still a cool space to work seven years on. Next door is the Boxworks, built out of shipping containers which offers 20 private studios – each suitable for up to six people.

Kirtlington Business Centre, Oxfordshire

Labouring away in your office and you’ll smell the fresh Oxfordshire countryside air wafting through the window. And as this business centre is fitted out with the latest technology, you won’t miss the city.

During the Second World War, Slade Farm – now home to Kirtlington Business Centre – was an RAF airfield specialising in aircraft repairs. Now it’s home to a dozen or more businesses.

Royal Porcelain Works, Worcester

Royal Worcester porcelain was established as in 1751, but the world-renowned manufacturer finally closed its doors in the city in 2009. The Royal Porcelain Works is now owned by the Bransford Trust and has undergone a multi-million-pound redevelopment offering event space and offices. It first opened in June 2018 with phase one, featuring the Henry Sandon Hall. The 1852 showroom is at the heart of the development, refurbished to become a 140-seat capacity multi-use arts and entertainment venue.

The Clore Music Studios at New College, University of Oxford

The Clore Music Studios at New College, University of Oxford intelligently squeezes bespoke performance spaces into Oxford’s conservation area. The building, designed by John McAslan + Partners, was a national award-winner in the 2021 Royal Institute of British Architects Awards for Architecture.

Prof Lord Bhattacharyya Building, WMG, Warwick

Last year, the Professor Lord Bhattacharyya building, home to the National Automotive Innovation Centre, scooped the National Royal Institute of British Architects award. The NAIC is a partnership between Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick, Jaguar Land Rover, and Tata Motors. It’s home to up to 1,000 staff working across design, engineering and research, as well as future engineers on degree programmes.

 Core to Cloud, Cirencester

An office in a castle, with a gym, recording studio and cinema. Why would you ever want to go home? Perhaps staff at cyber security company Core to Cloud don’t.

The castle, on Cecily Hill in Cirencester, was built as a military barracks in the 1850s. It’s now Grade II listed, but that didn’t stop celebrated interior designer and “maximalist” Laurence Llewelyn -Bowen putting his unique stamp on the building in 2017 when a previous occupier invited him to undertake a £3 million renovation of the building.