This former yarn and cord warehouse, built in the early 20th century, has been transformed with the needs of modern businesses in mind, whilst sensitively maintaining its existing structure and many original period features. The unique and striking five storey property is five minutes from the central station in the heart of the main retail pitch and is opposite Sovereign Square, Leeds’ new urban garden.

The refurbishment of this formerly neglected building is a fusion of original features and modern design, which gel to create a dynamic hi-spec loft style workspace. The interior design respects the integrity of the warehouse’s industrial past with exposed brickwork, trusses, services and cast iron columns playing a major part in the building’s new look.

The five floors of adaptable open plan office space are well suited for the creative businesses looking for space in the area. Each office has dual aspects with the option of both natural and mechanical ventilation. The lighting is LED based with daylight sensors to maintain appropriate illumination levels whilst keeping operating costs at a minimum. The white ceilings and single plastered party wall also help to increase light distribution throughout the office space.

This project shows what can be achieved through careful and considered design and application. The new working environment combines the integrity of a well-built industrial heritage with best practices in modern office design. The restoration has been sensitively undertaken, retaining and reinforcing the original construction, whilst creating a modern workplace which meets the needs of the ‘techie’ occupiers.

This marvellous building could so easily have slipped into obscurity, but it has been restored and revived and is now a vibrant part of 21st century Leeds. Achieving a balance between the past and the present is notoriously difficult in terms of design and architecture, but this has been attained here..

 Client:

Owner:

M&E Engineer:

Hoare Lea 

Occupier:

Multiple occupants

Structural Engineer:

Marston and Grundy 

Project Manager:

Projex Building Solutions 

Contractor:

Firecrest Construction 

Quantity Surveyor:

Projex  Building Solutions

Investment / Property Co:

Architect:

Gpad london 

Agent:

Knight Frank 

This former industrial warehouse has been transformed into a bright, contemporary business space, fusing original features with modern design. The exposed brickwork, trusses and iron columns help create a dynamic loft-style workspace. 

The judges were impressed by the sensitive restoration of this formerly run down building and the resultant new vibrant “techy” office space made it a worthy winner of the 1,500m2 award.

 Client:

Owner:

M&E Engineer:

Hoare Lea 

Occupier:

Multiple occupants

Structural Engineer:

Marston and Grundy 

Project Manager:

Projex Building Solutions 

Contractor:

Firecrest Construction 

Quantity Surveyor:

Projex  Building Solutions

Investment / Property Co:

Architect:

Gpad london 

Agent:

Knight Frank 

5 Advocate’s Close, Edinburgh

Whilst this building is only small, it was incredibly difficult to build and certainly packs a punch. The modern flexible office environment promotes creativity without compromising on functionality and has great views.

The judges could not help but be overwhelmed by the feat of engineering that made this winning building possible, and the invigorating and contemporary workspace within was the icing on the cake.

Client:

Morgan McDonnell Architecture 

Will Rudd Davidson 

Occupier: 

Contractor:

Interserve (Edinburgh) 

Developer:

Quantity Surveyor:

Architect:

Morgan McDonnell Architecture 

Interior Designer:

Morgan McDonnell Architecture 

A complex arrangement of existing heritage buildings, 67-71 Beak Street has been creatively and intelligently stitched together to deliver a series of well-lit spaces that retain the character of the existing buildings the judges said. They noted that the development provides a working environment that meets the needs of a modern office occupier, and added that each level is utilised to maximum advantage including the incorporation of a roof terrace that sits well hidden from the view of the streets of Soho.

Client:

Project Manager:

Constructive Management 

Contractor:

BuckleyGrayYeoman                       

The Anslow Partnership 

  Alconbury Weald Club, Alconbury Enterprise Campus, Huntingdon         

Alconbury Weald Club was praised by the judges as a beautifully detailed building which sits beneath two well designed and exaggerated roof canopies. The building’s generous volumes and exposed finishes provide for a facility that is flexible and robust enough to adapt to new uses as the community continues to grow. From a design perspective, the judges praised how the Alconbury Weald Club appropriates a palette of glazed curtain walling and dark stained timber cladding, in a slip-and-miss arrangement akin to a Scandinavian summer house. 

Client

Owner:

Urban & Civic 

Flatt Consulting 

Occupier:

Peter Dann Consulting Engineers

Contractor:

The Creative Quarter, 8a Morgan Arcade, Cardiff     

The Creative Quarter hugely impressed the judges this year, winning two awards and standing as a lesson in how to create desirable and valuable workspace from redundant areas above retail and other premises, something which the judges said could be applied in almost all towns and cities across the UK. The judges praised the developer for facilitating a creative working culture as well as highly attractive city centre offices and studio space which is distinctive, edgy and fun. The successful scheme relied upon pioneering vision and the bold investment of risk capital to unlock the whole development, the judges added.

 Client:

Owner:

Helical

M&E Engineer:

Multiple Cccupiers 

Quantem Consulting

Quantity Surveyor:

Oscar Clarke 

Architect: