Location: Hayes, England.

Architect: Pilbrow & Partners.

The Powerhouse in Hayes will provide modern, flexible workspaces for entrepreneurial designers and engineers, with an emphasis on support to new businesses and grow-on space for expanding business. It will be refurbished to provide 2,000m2 nett of let-table office accommodation spread across three levels, using cross-laminated timber and glulam beams to promote open, naturally lit spaces with the intent to foster a modern and healthy working environment. The refurbishment approach is to preserve, restore and highlight the main Powerhouse interior features, introducing triple-height spaces to the east, west and north of the building to provide more visibility and transparency. A spiral accommodation stair is proposed to wrap around the existing chimney and create a sense of connection between staff and visitors.