Posted On October 23, 2019 By Kenneth Deans
Scottish Architectural Studio commended at National BCO Awards
Project Spotlight
Employees at Threesixty Architecture are thriving in new premises at The Garment Factory in Glasgow’s Merchant City. The award winning fit-out project brings the practice’s culture and values to life with a studio that is inspired by community, collaboration and inspiration.
G&T has built a strong relationship with Threesixty, after working together on the recent Distell whisky blending facility, The Gyle Centre refurbishment works and proposed new Port of Leith distillery project. So when procuring the project team G&T was a natural fit to provide Cost Management services for their relocation.
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Threesixty recognised the need for additional space in 2015. The project began with a visualisation workshop where employees identified what was important to them in the new space. As architects, Threesixty’s studio had to showcase their design ability as well as their culture. Key requirements included collaborative desk space, an event area, large workshop, sociable kitchen with large table, space to relax and a variety of workplaces with natural light and greenery.
“As architects designing our own studio, it was hard but important not to indulge ourselves in over-design and ensure we stayed true to the brief and cultural approach to our new workplace."Kieron Goodman, Director of Threesixty Architecture
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After a significant property search, The Garment Factory was acknowledged as a perfect fit. The c 8,500 sq ft space is flooded with natural daylight and architecturally striking original features such as exposed ceilings, steel and brickwork, wooden flooring and ornate staircases.
Detailed space planning was undertaken to maximise natural daylight. Areas of the floor were built up to create break out spaces and take advantage of the south light and winter sunsets with workspace placed under rooflights and adjacent to low level windows.
The auditorium/multi-functional kitchen space has become the centre of the new studio and provides flexible collaboration areas for social interaction. Rotating partitions allows it to be a lecture space, café, design review space and even a nightclub. Weekly yoga sessions now take place in the Jungle Room, whilst a library with panoramic views of the city allows for relaxation away from workstations. Cycling to work is also encouraged with dedicated cycle spaces.
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Kieron Goodman, Director of Threesixty Architecture commented:
“As architects designing our own studio, it was hard but important not to indulge ourselves in over-design and ensure we stayed true to the brief and cultural approach to our new workplace. Drawing on our established relationship with G&T and working closely with Kenneth Deans on the project has allowed us to commercially test ideas and be open about cost as we developed the design. The result - a new home that exceeds our design aspirations, delivered significantly below the standard square-foot cost for a typical commercial fit-out.”
The project won Best Project up to 1,500m2 at the BCO regional awards in May 2019 and was commended in the National BCO awards in October 2019.