1 Colmore Row - Associated Architects

Project Value:

£1.2 million

Key Points

Brand-led design approach

Reimagined entrance, reception and communal spaces

CAT A fit-out

Decarbonisation Pathway

Low Carbon Focus

One Colmore Row occupies a prime city centre office location: well-positioned within Birmingham’s prestigious Colmore Business District and retail core, immediately adjacent to Snow Hill Train Station and surrounded by high quality cafés, bars, restaurants and shops.

The project is intended to be an exemplar in how a tired and dated 1980s office building can be transformed into an inspiring twenty-first century workspace. Through a series of modest yet thoughtful interventions, the building has been given a completely new identity and has taken a leap forward on its decarbonisation pathway.

Located at the very heart of Birmingham’s Colmore Business District, with arguably the city’s most prestigious business address at number 1 Colmore Row, the team has revitalised this asset and repositioned it within the local commercial office market. The scheme successfully tackled the building’s issues with a lack of discernible identity, poor arrival experience, compromised floorplates, and no occupier amenities, with a focus on reducing energy consumption and low carbon solutions.

Reimagined

A brand-led design approach and series of creative interventions including a reimagined entrance, reception, and communal areas, with a focus on hospitality and occupier amenity, have created an attractive workplace offer. Remodelled floorplates and clever services co-ordination overcame the building’s primary issues and improved energy performance.

The new CAT A fit-out of the sixth floor establishes a concept to be rolled out across the building through a phased programme of works in line with lease events.

Our interventions bring One Colmore Row in line with its high-status neighbours, setting the benchmark for repurposing small spaces with maximum impact. The result is an inspiring and sophisticated workspace, on a par with the best available refurbished space of this size in the city.

The new entrance to One Colmore Row helps re-establish the building as a high-quality Grade A office space. The new entrance design aims to improve the street scene and increase activity within Snow Hill Station Square with a contemporary design in-keeping with its surroundings. It improves the appearance of the existing office entrance and emphasises it within its setting by improving its visibility and legibility. The design seeks to increase visibility into the reception space, providing activity and animation to Snow Hill Station Square.

Contemporary Design

Internally, a holistic ‘brand-led’ design approach was taken to all areas. The contemporary design for the new welcoming reception incorporates feature pendant lighting, linear recessed background lighting, concealed LED lighting and a suspended tubular lighting to the walkway.

A stylish bespoke reception desk sits beside a statement storage wall and an illuminated sculptural sign allows for the building’s branding to be prominently displayed. A variety of touchdown areas are provided for waiting and working. A new basement cycle store with associated shower/changing facilities and drying room further boost the appeal of the building and bring it in line with competitors.