Corporate Architecture 2025 Spotlight

It’s been a busy and exciting year at Corporate Architecture with a portfolio of interesting and challenging projects completed and more underway. The team here are matching the demands of client ambition and the intricacies of the construction process with great spirit. They are constantly expanding their knowledge and skillset to deliver a high quality service, excellent design and a build that will withstand the rigours of time, now and in the future.

Solidly rooted in Leicestershire, and with a significant number of our schemes in the local area, we have also been commissioned on a range of projects further afield. This is clearly excellent for our practice but also creates a great opportunity to represent the considerable talent that we have in the county.

In October 2023 we were appointed by Wilten Construction to deliver a bespoke two-storey office building (18,415 sq. ft. GIA ) for internationally renowned equestrian brand Le Mieux, alongside an adjoining warehouse ( 35, 729 sq. ft. GIA ) in Southampton. The project was inherited with an extant planning permission which Le Mieux sought to enhance and reimagine. Working collaboratively, we delivered a fully re-designed scheme which was successfully granted Planning Approval.

Our initial scope of works was to prepare a RIBA Stage 4 set of construction drawings for the shell and core element. However, after successfully delivering this phase, our appointment was extended to include a full Category-B fit-out of the office spaces. This included a comprehensive interior design service tailored to Le Mieux specific needs, creating workspaces aligned with Le Mieux teams and workgroups. As part of the process, we developed a full 3D CGI concept model of the scheme in its context, enabling the client to clearly visualise the outcome and make well informed design decisions regarding both external and internal fixtures and finishes.

To support Le Mieux operational requirements, we provided phased design packages, and the project was successfully completed and handed over in February 2025, receiving outstanding feedback from the client.

Through competitive tender, Corporate Architecture were appointed by the City of Wolverhampton Council to create a social housing development on a brownfield site in New Park Village, an area of the city designated for redevelopment. We were appointed to undertake RIBA stages 0-4 and Principal Designer ( building regs ) and will be working with Keon Homes to provide 188 2- and 3-bedroom social housing units with a further 7 having disabled access. The site is now being demolished with a view to starting construction in Spring/Summer of this year.

A key contributor to the planning and consultation process was an active residents’ steering group. Meeting regularly with the design and construction team, they were able to offer their views on the development, keeping at the heart of the plan a strong focus on attractive public open space and providing a physical heart to the community. Again, we have been able to support their understanding and vision with our own high quality CGIs and a carefully constructed presentation, created for us by our friends at Pixel Cove. This presentation, hosted by the Brownfield Institute at the University of Wolverhampton, not only showcased the development itself but also what can be achieved by taking advantage of brownfield sites, often overlooked as development opportunity.

Bainton House is a Grade II Listed two storey house in Lincolnshire with sections of the house dating back to the late 16th or early 17th century. The west wing was added at the beginning of the 18th century with the north wing probably being built during the early 19th century. Following its recent purchase the owners are carrying out a comprehensive restoration and refurbishment programme aimed at preserving this Grade II listed property’s historical character which maintains its functionality and structural integrity. Corporate Architecture have been appointed RIBA work stages 0-7 to bring the house up to modern living standards whilst respecting its history.

The owners are committed to restore, repair and renovate the property taking care to ensure that all interventions are sympathetic to the building’s original character, preserving its architectural integrity and enhancing its historical significance. This includes the retention of the original materials, styles and construction and where repair is required the materials and methods selected are consistent with those traditionally used in Bainton House’s construction. In addition, there will be a timber porch built which will give the appearance of an orangery but will serve as the main entrance to the house.

Traditional flexibility and breathable materials will be used and the work undertaken by specialist contractors Brown and Jones, sympathetic to the particular requirements of old buildings. The proposals for this project have and will continue to be developed in consultation with heritage specialists and in close liaison with the City of Peterborough’s conservation officer.

While the project is primarily focused on preserving Bainton House’s heritage, the proposed works will also enhance its functionality as a modern dwelling.

The addition of insulation and improved energy efficiency will reduce heating costs and increase comfort, ensuring that the building remains viable for contemporary use while honouring its heritage.

This project, interesting and challenging in its own right, has also become an excellent learning opportunity for our younger team members. They have been able to experience at first hand the complexities of working with historic buildings and the ways in which modern construction methods and materials can be used to successfully match old and new without compromising the integrity of either the building or its construction. This includes ways of ensuring the sustainability of the building while safeguarding its heritage value for future generations.

One Roof Leicester is a charity which seeks to provide temporary accommodation to people who find themselves homeless and offer them the support to rebuild their lives. We have been appointed to RIBA stages 0-7 including CDM and BSA Principal Designer roles to convert an existing property into a Head Office for the charity and to create self-contained apartments for service users in the latter stages of their time with the charity, moving towards independent living.

The Community House, owned by the Diocese of Leicester is a Grade 2 Listed building in the centre of Leicester and ideally positioned for the work of the charity. Planning was approved in December 2024 and we are working towards a start date of Summer 2025.
It is easy sometimes when we are building a new house for someone, extending their existing home or creating a development scheme for a client, that the lived reality for many people is having no agency over their living conditions at all. This project has become a bit of a favourite in the practice simply because of the huge impact it will have on the lives of its service users. It was also the charity of the year for ProCon Leicester last year where your generosity at our annual awards evening raised over £5,200 towards the important work of One Roof Leicester. This project is possible because of the generosity of the Ian and Clare Mattioli Foundation who are contributing significantly towards the renovation costs and have given a ten year commitment towards supporting the project.

It has also been an opportunity for Interior Design students at De Montfort University to use the scheme as one of their assessed projects. Two students will be assisting with colour scheme designs for the redecoration element of the new office and apartments.