Following the success of Sustainable Workspaces at London’s County Hall, our client is expanding north—creating a new home in Manchester for a dynamic community of material and climate tech innovators.

Set within the iconic Renold Building, a modernist landmark in the city, the project brings new life to an underused part of the structure as a dynamic workspace. The reimagined space will host a range of collaboration zones, flexible work areas, event spaces, and a vibrant social hub with a café and bar.

Building on lessons learned in London, the design embraces a low-intervention, resource-conscious approach. The existing character of the building is celebrated, with minimal, strategic changes made to preserve material integrity and reduce waste. Where interventions are necessary, they are modular—designed for easy disassembly and reuse—and crafted from regenerative materials such as timber and hemp.

Innovative, sustainable materials are used throughout: unfired tiles made from ceramic industry waste, acoustic baffles formed from mycelium and pressed wool, and reclaimed timber joinery. Upholstery fabrics are repurposed from existing stock, and lighting is sourced from remanufactured fixtures.

This is a space designed not just to house climate innovation—but to embody it.