Results & Recognition
Spratley & Partners was founded in 2003. Since then, we have grown in size and reputation, and have won numerous architectural awards and accolades. Alongside project partners, we conceive and reinvigorate renowned hotels, places of work, beautiful social spaces and homes, balancing commercial and aesthetic priorities to maximise returns.
The following projects are strong examples of how clever, thoughtful design makes a difference.
The ALT Office – Boardwalk Studios
The ways we work and spend time in offices are changing. Businesses require fewer traditional desk set-ups and more collaborative spaces where teams can be together. Location, accessibility and nearby amenities are important, but the office itself is key, and likely to need the flexibility to adapt to changing teams and levels of occupancy across the week.
In the case of Boardwalk Studios at Brighton Marina, it was essential the new units were designed with a young and creative Brighton audience in mind. The marina was already an obvious draw with its bars, restaurants, shops and amenities and so the units needed to add to this with the right interior design and working environment.
We decided on a distinctive and colourful concept for both the interiors and exteriors of each unit, to which we added a 50:50 balance of traditional desks and group working/breakout spaces, to provide three flexible and enjoyable offices for a contemporary style of working.
See: Case Study
Capturing Carbon – Winnersh 820
Our commitment to making embodied carbon savings where we can is exemplified by our work on Winnersh 820. Winnersh Triangle is a mixed business community between Reading and Wokingham in Berkshire, and a significant block in the park, Winnersh 820, was scheduled for demolition, to be replaced with offices. However, during the early stages of the project, and in order to respond to changing demands for high office content warehousing and workshop spaces, it was decided to reconfigure the existing building to provide an enhanced high office content warehouse.
Reusing 110.8 tonnes of primary steel for the frame and 4,180 tonnes of reinforced concrete for the foundations reduced costs and project length, while making embodied carbon savings equal to 894,300 kg of Co2. This is comparable to a staggering 369,545 single trips from Winnersh Triangle to London Waterloo on the train, the annual average emissions from 110 UK homes or 16,873,585 cups of white tea or coffee. To sequester this amount of carbon would require 14,787 tree seedlings to be grown for a decade.
See: Case Study
Renting the Unrentable – 210 Building
We have been successful in turning previously unrentable buildings into desirable properties on many occasions. One example is the transformation of Building 210 at Winnersh Triangle, a business park, in Berkshire. Despite previous owners’ attempts at refurbishment, the building was seen as unrentable, and had sat unoccupied for 20 years.
This was a prime example of our retrofit first approach, establishing the benefits of the original building, such as the capacity in the floor-to-floor heights, the positioning and scale of inner courtyards and the vast space to the frontage. This enabled our team to make small adjustments to unlock potential rather than intervene with wholesale changes.
By reorganising the core and providing a substantial extension to the entrance of the building we were able to create a focal point for the building and give it a more notable presence on the campus. Another important new feature was a reception space with direct access to each potential demise and which incorporated a series of collaborative working environments. Curated tactile finishes, carefully crafted joinery and select furniture collections populate the double height entrance space to promote interaction and creativity. The office floor plates consist of exposed services to maximise ceiling heights, with a central raft providing adaptable space for future tenants.
Before completion, half of the building had been rented to a significant global business.
See: Case Study
Ahead Of Its Time – Blewbury Manor
Blewbury Manor is a Grade II listed manor house in Oxfordshire and its remodelling required inspired design innovation in order to introduce significant modern elements to this historic and characterful house.
Our design and technical expertise enabled us to challenge conventions in architectural and construction theory and implementation. This approach allowed us to find the most appropriate response to the manor’s heritage and setting. The result was a series of contemporary interventions that sat beautifully alongside, and enhanced the visibility of, the conserved original structure.
Our scheme included an entirely glass staircase and landing, the first to be installed in the UK, under a curved structural glass atrium which discreetly enclosed the central courtyard. This hi-tec enclosure and visually lightweight flight of stairs enabled us to reveal and celebrate the original building fabric while optimising natural light throughout these new living spaces at the centre of the house.
Completed over 15 years ago, our design also addressed the property's energy requirements and increased its sustainability credentials. This wasn’t standard practice at the time and their inclusion in the project was seen as innovative and exciting. A new water source heat pump system and solar panel system ensured supply for all electricity and hot water heating, essentially making the property self-sufficient in this regard.
See: Case Study