Commercial Portfolio
As architects, landscape architects and urban designers, we create award winning buildings, living landscapes and thriving urban spaces, using inventive design to solve real life challenges. Each of our projects is different but the driving force behind every one is the desire to create something that is inherently both beautiful and useful.
Our experience of designing successful commercial buildings, from offices and retail to hotels and leisure facilities, has been recognised through repeat business and numerous awards. Many of our commercial projects are part of larger mixed-use schemes, so we draw on our experience in the arts, education and residential sectors to design buildings that provide a number of uses for a number of different people. As well as designing new buildings, we are well versed in the refurbishment and fit out of existing spaces for commercial use. We have significant expertise of working on listed buildings and always strike a balance between respecting architectural heritage whilst meeting modern day quality and accessibility standards.
From our offices in London and Manchester, our urban designers, landscape architects and interior designers also enable us to look holistically at all projects, providing the expertise to deal with both the macro scale masterplanning and micro scale detailing both inside and outside the buildings.
Sitting on what was a small, restricted but prominent infill site in Spinningfields, our approach for this project was to create a new office aesthetic. We designed a building with a very simple, cost-effective frame and a more elaborate skin to sit over the top. Inside, the exposed steel structure, services and concrete soffits create an industrial feel, in contrast to the interiors of the nearby slick, glazed offices. Since moving in, Mediacom has recognised that the new stimulating, creative environment has improved staff morale, recruitment and work quality.
“Signing up to No.1 Hardman Street was a real step in the dark for us – it was a huge challenge but we saw the potential for creating our own space and two years on, our original vision was realised. It turned out to be a real statement of intent for us and Manchester itself.” John Marshall, Group Marketing and New Business Director, Mediacom
No.1 Hardman Street Manchester Allied London
“Working with a site that the people of Manchester think of so fondly has been a challenge and a privilege. This project is all about preserving an icon for them and the city itself.” Mark Keegan, Senior Associate
Old Granada Studios Manchester Allied London Our redesign of this local landmark forms part of the new St John’s masterplan. Keen to respect its architectural significance, the iconic geometric façade will be restored with hotel rooms behind and the television studios will remain as unique event and performance spaces. A bar will sit above the hotel, within a new glowing glass box to replace the studio sign. A new building adjacent will also provide serviced apartments and offices, featuring a heated rooftop swimming pool and a series of glazed bridges linking back to the existing building.
Brunswick Centre Camden, London Allied London This pioneering medium-rise, high-density, inner-city neighbourhood, designed by Patrick Hodgkinson in the 1960s, was severely run-down and failing when we were invited to restore, repair and improve it. Our approach was to complete the original architectural vision whilst making contemporary interventions. The central shopping street has been upgraded with a new anchor supermarket, enlarged retail units and extended shop fronts to provide more attractive spaces for retailers. The width of the vast concourse has been reduced by adding glass walkways, canopies and central seating, creating a more active and intimate streetscape.
“The revival of the Brunswick Centre has transformed a major blight into a thriving and lively area.� Regeneration & Renewal Awards judge
This is our competition-winning visitor centre for the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, France, designed in collaboration with local practice TKMT. The new building will comprise a medical suite, teaching space, research facilities and café for the Institute, which is one of the world’s leading centres for neutron science and technology. Inspired by the movement of particle reactions, the building features a lenticular façade with a combination of transparent and opaque glazing. Angled roof finishes reference the mountainous landscape.
Institut Laue-Langevin Grenoble Institut Laue-Langevin
Wish Tower Eastbourne Eastbourne Borough Council The people of Eastbourne were gifted a restaurant and sun lounge in recognition for their sacrifices during WW2. Now demolished, we were commissioned to design a new landmark destination restaurant on the site for an internationally renowned chef. Located adjacent to a listed Martello tower, its design, whilst respectful of the local heritage, makes a bold statement for the town to maximise the stunning seafront views. A dramatic roof form provides the building’s signature.
“This is an extremely exciting project that will bring more people to Eastbourne, provide even better facilities for residents and support the sustainability of the park for future generations.� Councillor David Tutt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council
Devonshire Park Eastbourne Eastbourne Borough Council Dating from 1873, Devonshire Park has long been an attraction for the south coast. However, the facilities are in need of significant revitalisation and so we were appointed to carefully restore the listed theatres; enhance the tennis facilities and provide a new conference building. Featuring flexible exhibition space, meeting, seminar and events rooms and a cafĂŠ, this modern and striking new addition is conceived as a pavilion in the park, with its environmental performance being a key design driver.
Under these proposals, the Grade II* listed London Road Fire Station will be transformed into a landmark mixed use development for the city. Built in 1906, it stands as one of the Manchester’s finest historic buildings, but has been left in a state of disrepair. Our refurbishment will restore it back to its former glory to provide a hotel, bars, restaurants, community uses and a museum. Within the excavated courtyard a new bar will provide a dramatic red pavilion at the heart of the old fire station’s transformation.
“One of the most loving restoration proposals of a listed building in the city’s history.” Town planner, Manchester City Council
London Road Fire Station Manchester Allied London
Bloomsbury Fitness Centre Camden, London University College of London The refurbishment and expansion of this fitness centre, for staff and students of UCL, was undertaken over two phases. The first included the design of a new reception area and offices, refurbished changing rooms and gym area, and new martial arts facilities in a converted squash court. In view of its success, a second phase was completed, consisting of a 160m2 rooftop extension and the colonisation of a vacant caretaker’s flat. A new stair at the heart of the building greatly improves circulation, and better sound proofing was also incorporated.
Our proposals for Campfield will see the creation of a new cultural hub, complete with a food market, shops, workspace and homes arranged across three buildings. The faรงade will be split into stratas to reflect these different uses, whilst a galleria at ground floor will create a pedestrian route through the building, creating a lively, open space at the heart of the scheme. Its design is inspired by the form of engineered Victorian halls and megastructures such as the Brunswick Centre, and so will feature a distinctive, robust aesthetic.
Campfield Manchester Allied London
Astley & Byrom House Manchester Allied London This post-war building has been considerably reconfigured over its life to meet changes in workplace demand, but as a result, its original modernist aesthetic has diminished. Under our proposals, the inappropriate additions will be removed and the original structure refurbished to provide valuable workspace for Manchester’s creative industries, as part of the wider St John’s masterplan. A new storey and new amenity deck will be added – these interventions designed to sit harmoniously with the classic simplicity of the existing architecture.
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