The changing shape of office development

Box Architects are working with the Serviced Office Company and Modus Workspace on a major office refurb in Telford for the post-pandemic generation.

The St James’ House development will transform a former tax office into more than 50 serviced offices for a range of small, medium and large companies. It will feature innovative interiors and modern facilities, and will showcase Box’s expertise in office refurb design.

However, since being commissioned in 2019, we have revisited the design as the implications of the coronavirus pandemic on working life became clearer. For example, the final design for the four-storey, 4,750 sq m office building features an outdoor terrace on the third floor and outdoor spaces for tenants and visitors at ground level.

“Getting outdoors from closed, air-conditioned offices is something that has become more important since the pandemic, and is something that people who have grown used to working at home might expect,” said Box Architects’ Associate Director, Angela Newton, who believes that flexibility is the key to effective office design.

She added: “The current pandemic, and restrictions placed on people and their interaction with the workplace, has driven interior design to provide more flexible working environments.

“Increasingly, we expect to see serviced offices becoming more popular as they offer security for a company with the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions, and indeed a changing workforce.”

The Telford office development, close to the M54, is the Serviced Office Company’s largest ever. They also have premises in Salford’s Media City and London’s Canary Wharf – and previously worked with Box on a development at [name].

Bird’s eye view

Check out progress on the St James’ House development with the latest drone footage