The Greenhouse, MediaCityUK, TBC

Peel Media Limited

The proposal was for the adaptive reuse of a grouping of constuction site offices to provide stylish, attractive and cost-effective office space, including managed workspace units, and a restaurant.

The aim was to attract smaller media–related companies from across the North West to cater for the substantial demand for office space in this location from companies who wished to develop relationships with the BBC and media-based large operators in a new creative cluster. Because they tend to be small, or very small (one or two people) and subject to the vagaries of media commissioning processes, their space requirements demand a high degree of flexibility with the ability to scale up or down as necessary. Based on the floorspace available it was anticipated that the building could provide employment for around 200 people.

Internally, the space was re-organised and refurbished to a high standard and provided flexible spaces suitable for a wide variety of users with various space requirements; from two desks to 20 desks.

Externally the building was re-clad to create its new identity as “The Greenhouse”. The building was repainted and extensive use made of timber framing as an inexpensive yet sustainable and durable cladding material to transform the appearance of the building. A system of vertical timber fins was devised which attached to a scaffold system to provide a growing environment for both hanging and climbing plants which will ‘green’ the outside of the building and become more extensive over time. Horizontal timber louvres were used on the ground floor, on the north and south elevations where the building cores are located at ground, first and second floor levels - to provide visual interest and a contrast in texture and colour to the predominantly glazed upper floors. On the ground floor there were to be new glazed openings in the restaurant area to provide a more attractive environment than the existing rather industrial-looking canteen.

The building was enormously successful and as a return on investment was the most successful development in MediaCityUK.