In this truly collaborative approach both property investment and development firm MEPC and Milton Park Innovation Centre Managers, Ashdown Phillips, worked with Bath-based SRA Architects Ltd from early design and brief development stages in this project. The objective, to reinvent an existing building for it to become an innovative mix of offices, co-working space, conference and meeting facilities: to breathe new life into an aging asset.

Studies were undertaken to get the right mix of suite sizes alongside co-working, break-out and meeting spaces, and an extensive review of finishes was also important. SRA proposed a palette which balanced smooth and glossy surfaces such as the glazed screens, metalwork and feature lighting with soft and textured finishes such as brickwork, characterful oak flooring and carpet tiles.

The Bee House concept originated after discovering the what3words square for the location of the buidling’s Hive Café is “feasted.cloud.honeybees”. This led to the design team to translate this into the interior design, interpreted with hexagons, flowers, signage and art.

From a specifier perspective, achieving BREEAM Excellent was important, so a floor finish that came with robust environmental credentials and Cradle-to-Cradle certification helped with this BREEAM certification.

Kindred carpet tiles in style Dream were specified for the serviced offices, in a neutral dark grey (colour Slate) was selected which could work with whatever interventions occupiers would make.