Devastation

The fire at Hotspur Press was a disaster. Because the building was already in a poor shape, it spread rapidly. Ultimately, over 20 fire engines and more than 100 fire fighters were needed to get it under control. Neighbouring buildings were at risk too due to the wind.

Sadly, the outcome was one of Manchester’s most important historic buildings was “little more than a shell”. Only a small amount of the original structure was still standing. Even that was precarious.

New plans

Developers had been planning a redevelopment of Hotspur Press since 2024. However, there were changes to the plans in the wake of the fire. The latest version now has planning approval from Manchester Council. It will provide a brighter future for the once-beloved piece of commercial architecture.

The new plans will create 595 student bedrooms. The building will include a 36 storey residential tower. There will also be a new public square. Crucially, the remains of the former press will be demolished. It is necessary to allow access to the site and ensure it is safe.

A key detail in the new plans is they aim to replicate the historic building, rebuilding the brick facade back up to the fourth floor. This celebrates the appearance and architecture. Signage will also be remade and placed in the original positions.

While it is incredibly sad to lose the Hotspur Press building, the new development will faithfully recreate key parts. It will breathe new life into the site. The plans got unanimous approval from the council.

Do you have plans for commercial architecture?

The big take-away from the Hotspur Press story is how important it is to save heritage buildings. However, delaying plans can ultimately result in the properties being lost entirely. It puts into perspective the need to make good progress on projects.

If you are planning a project and would like some help, you can rely on us. We have a lot of experience with commercial architecture, including how to retain original features but bring life to the structure. You can work with us to consider all kinds of uses for properties. We can create innovative designs to help you achieve your goals.

So, get in touch and talk to us about your plans. We can also help with key things like planning applications and management to keep projects moving as best as possible.

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Attendance stats

Before the Covid pandemic, a large number of people worked in the office every single day. Remote and hybrid working did exist, but it was rarer. As a result, attendance and occupancy figures were generally 60%-80%. Offices were never completely full due to factors like holidays, illnesses, and operational requirements such as meetings and training.

The Covid pandemic was a massive disruption. Offices suddenly had to close to help control the spread of the virus, protect people, and ease pressure on the NHS. Overnight, occupancy fell off a cliff. It was a slow recovery at first, with WFH and hybrid working becoming the norm. Interestingly though, we then had a wave of people returning to traditional office working.

The ReTurn report shows that office attendances have now stabilised at the start of 2026. We’re no longer seeing a huge decline or a rapid recovery. The figures look at occupancy in nine major cities. They found that levels are the highest since Covid. The average for the UK hit a high of 44.2% in mid February. Bristol was the best city for occupancy, reaching a high of 69.2%. London, the UK’s main commercial hub, had 41.5%.

Modern offices

The stabilisation is great news. However, it does put commercial architecture in the spotlight. People want more from offices today. In fact, there is a bigger focus than ever on ensuring the office experience is supportive and beneficial. If it isn’t, what is the point in even going in to work?

There is a lot to think about with office design. This includes the layout, materials, light, air quality, noise, and functionality. Offices can drive attendance and achieve higher occupancy rates if the designs ensure people will be productive and get the right support. They can also add value with additional amenities.

Notably, the changes have had an impact on businesses. Many large companies are actually committing to larger offices so they can give employees more space and amenities. Some are even having to reverse decisions to downsize. For many employers, the strategy is now office-first working, allowing WFH as long as employees work together in person when it matters the most.

Do you need to update your commercial architecture?

The right working patterns and office designs can have a huge impact on worker satisfaction, performance, recruitment, and retention. So, there is a lot of value in ensuring businesses get it right. Coffey Architects would love to help you. We’re a creative team of award winners, with incredible projects in the commercial, residential, and public sectors. We can design the perfect property to match any brief.

So, get in touch today and speak to us about commercial architecture or other projects. We can help you design an office that make suit employee needs and deliver a fantastic experience.

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Facilitating operations

The main thing to keep in mind here is, while front-of-house spaces may get the most attention, if there are problems in the back-of-house, it can bring everything toppling down. In fact, it could result in serious issues like fire safety, delivery delays, more expensive maintenance, and much more.

There are a number of key things to think about. The most significant include service corridors, storage and utility areas, and service rooms. You need to look at the positioning and accessibility. Are they easy to reach? Are they sufficient for the needs of the building, both now and in the future?

What you need to focus on is how people will use the back-of-house areas in real world conditions. The goal should be to allow everybody to do jobs as efficiently and safely as possible. This will keep the building operating smoothly. Crucially, it will reduce the operating costs. That is a big win for all kinds of commercial architecture, from hotels to office blocks and retail or leisure developments.

The lifecycle

Going back to thinking about the building’s needs now and in the future, it’s a good idea to think of it in terms of the full lifecycle. This is the key to sustainability.

The main objective here should be to design back-of-house areas to achieve long-term economics. For example, ensure accessibility so it is cheaper to maintain services. Invest in high quality, durable finishes, especially for service corridor floors and other surfaces that will take a beating. Where possible, keep layouts as simple as you can; people shouldn’t have to navigate a maze of corridors and rooms to find their way around. In fact, this can be dangerous in huge buildings, raising the chance of people getting lost if they accidentally enter service corridors.

What tools are available?

It’s also important to consider how technology can improve back-of-house spaces in commercial architecture. There are lots of useful tools, including systems for tracking the levels of supplies, monitoring solutions to track equipment performance, and more. Crucially though, if you use them you still need to ensure you design the spaces themselves properly.

Separation adds value

Finally, always remember that front-of-house and back-of-house spaces should be separate. This benefits both sides, reducing the chance of bottlenecks and disruption. For example, keep routes for waste removal and disposal separate from main corridors and entrances. It will help to maximise safety, hygiene, efficiency, and the experience.

Discuss commercial architecture with us

As you can see, it’s just as important to think about back-of-house spaces as it is front-of-house. In fact, in some situations it is even more important. It has a direct impact on maintenance and management, so if you get it right, you can make buildings last longer. Plus, you can also save costs.

If you’re thinking about designing commercial architecture or want to make changes to a current property, we’d love to help. Coffey Architects is an award winning company with a fantastic design ethos; we create light, comfortable buildings that benefit the occupants. So, speak to us today.

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The Wetlands Convention

Significantly, we have been aware of the risk of losing wetlands for decades. The Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971, taking its name from the city in Iran where this took place. Since then there has been adoption in the majority of UN states all around the world. The UK became a member in 1976 and has 176 wetlands sites today.

While there has been lots of progress to preserve wetlands around the world, they are still under threat. In fact, reports say they are declining more rapidly than forests. This risks massive harm to the environment and economies around the world. Crucially, wetland sites are key for biodiversity, including plant and animal life. They are also essential for flood prevention, carbon storage, and more. Plus, they support over a billion jobs, including food production.

How to preserve them?

They are a number of different recommendations for the preservation of wetlands. Most importantly is the need for co-existence. Developments are necessary, including commercial architecture, housing, and infrastructure. So, we should be working to minimise the impact on wetland. In fact, the goal should be to conserve, restore, and ensure ongoing stewardship and management.

At interesting thing here is we have a wealth of traditional knowledge to call on. People have been living sympathetically alongside wetlands for generations in different countries. We can learn from them, exploring what works effectively to maintain the landscapes, waterways, flora and fauna.

As well as calling on traditions, we can apply new research and modern planning strategies to protect wetlands. Crucially, we can look closely at what we need to build and how to design in harmony with the environments. There are even clever ways to approach developments to reclaim wetland sites, allowing development by integrating into the landscapes.

There are also some fantastic opportunities to preserve wetlands and improve our carbon footprint. For example, creating sponge cities with wetland elements can increase the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the air. At the same time, they can manage water more effectively. This can reduce flood risks and increase filtration and purification so we can use resources more effectively.

Discuss your plans for commercial architecture and other developments with us

Coffey Architects has a lot of experience with designing buildings to fit into the environments. This helps to retain the character and heritage, and also ensures conservation of the ecosystems. We can look at all kinds of crucial elements, including water management, biodiversity, noise, pollution, and sustainability.

So, it you have a project in mind, whether it is commercial architecture, housing, or anything else, speak to us. We’re passionate architects and want to create designs that can ensure resilience and benefits for all stakeholders.

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Layers

One of the most important things to think about is the building envelope has several layers. This includes the cladding, structural materials, insulation, cavities, and fixings. It’s essential to think about each of them and the impact on fire safety. If even one can allow a fire to start or spread, or spread smoke, it can put the whole building at risk.

Why do fires start?

Before thinking about designs and choosing materials, it is essential that you understand how a fire can actually start in the first place. In most cases you need three things; heat, fuel, and oxygen. The trio creates the fire triangle. When all of them are present, combustion can occur and self-sustain. A fire will burn until you remove one of the elements.

Interestingly, in modern fire safety the fire triangle has actually become a tetrahedron. It includes a key fourth element; chemical chain reactions. They are a serious factor that can lead to rapid fire propagation. Crucially, a chain reaction can make a fire burn hotter, releasing more combustible gas, and causing a continuous cycle. This is what happens with lithium-ion batteries and is the reason why they are one of the most dangerous types of fire.

What to choose?

The vital thing if you want to make sure a building envelope is fire resistant is to focus on the materials. This is vital for any kind of property, including commercial architecture.

The best decision is to use materials that are non-combustible where possible. This includes the structural materials, fixing, insulation, and other products. Ideally, avoid things like organic material and polymer-based products. They can act as a source of fuel and allow propagation of fire and smoke.

What you should do, especially when designing a building, is consider the material classes. The latest classification is Euro-class EN 13501-1, replacing older, out of date standards. It categorises materials from A to F. Only materials with an A1 or A2 classification are non-combustible. This includes things like rock wool and glass wool insulation.

As well as the classification, look closely at additional suffixes like s1, s2 and d0. They provide further information about what will happen with the materials in real world conditions. Materials with s2 for example produce smoke.

Create commercial architecture with a beautiful building envelope

Coffey Architects is a great team to work with if you want to create wonderful buildings, including offices, homes, mixed use developments, and more. We carefully consider the most important topics, including fire safety, energy efficiency, lighting, and sustainability. A great design can give you all of that while also ensuring the building looks incredible.

So, get in touch with us today if you need help with new builds, retrofitting, or other projects. We can design safe, high quality commercial architecture and more.

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A tough period

Data from S&P Global’s most recent index shows how difficult 2025 was for the construction and architecture industries. The headline finding is that there was no growth at all in the year. All categories had struggles, so it was hard for civil engineering, housing, and commercial.

The UK Construction PMI is one of the most significant indicators of activity. It uses responses from purchasing managers to give a reading. If readings are above 50, it signals that there is growth. On the other hand, any below that point indicate contraction. Sadly, with 40.1 in the latest index, it has been a full year of decline in activity.

It’s interesting to look at the different segments of the industry to see their current readings. The strongest segment is commercial, scoring 42. Housing is next with 33.5. At the opposite end, the weakest reading is civil engineering with 32.9. Crucially though, it was up 2.9 points on November. Whether you’re thinking about commercial architecture, housing, or other projects, it’s important to look at the current state of the industry.

Why was it a difficult year?

Two common factors were blamed for the construction industry’s struggles. Firstly is a lack of confidence. It has a massive impact, hurting underlying demand. If businesses aren’t confident, they are unlikely to invest in any kind of major projects.

Secondly, there were concerns about political decisions, particularly in the lead up to the Budget in November. Uncertainty here made many businesses delay making decisions on spending until the wider picture was clear.

Will 2026 be better?

There is a silver lining after all the doom and gloom though. The PMI finds there is more optimism for the coming year. Crucially, 37% of responders anticipate an increase in activity in 2026. This is against 20% fearing further decline.

More importantly, there are a couple of key factors that could encourage a boost in confidence and activity. The most notable is that the expectation is interest rates will fall. In addition, the forecast is inflation will cool too. If that does happen, more schemes that have been in limbo could move forward.

Discuss commercial architecture and other projects with us

Coffey Architects understands how much of an impact fragile confidence, political uncertainty, cost pressures, and other factors can have. However, things are looking better for the year ahead. If you’re planning to move forward with a project, we’d love to help. You can rely on us to design offices, homes, mixed-use developments, and more.

So, get in touch today and tell us what you have in mind. We’ve got a great track record, including creating sustainable commercial architecture to suit the modern demands of businesses.

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Ceilings

One of the most notable things you’ll likely see is a boom in feature ceilings. They are in the spotlight because they offer a massive canvas to play with. The right designs can make a whole space more interesting. At the same time, they can improve how warm and comfortable spaces are. Combining different materials, including an array of textures, works really well.

The greatest thing with ceiling design is there are almost no limits to how creative you can be. You can use panels, timber slats, grids, and bespoke lighting. So, you can create the perfect features for any office.

Acoustics

A key topic in the last few years is the focus on making offices more comfortable. Good acoustics have become a must, especially with open plan designs and flexible spaces where different types of work are taking place at the same time. Therefore, make sure you think carefully about acoustic design and commercial architecture.

Interestingly, you can improve acoustics while also making offices more interesting. Take the previous point about ceiling design; you can create feature ceilings using materials that help reduce noise. Plus, you can take action with walls and floors to make spaces quieter.

Layout

Easily the biggest change you’ll see in offices is the evolution of the layout. Desk farms and corner office layouts are a thing of the past. Instead, most offices now are large, open, multi-purpose spaces. They’ll likely feature different zones, including casual seating, larger tables for meetings, and private nooks. The key is to make them feel inclusive and collaborative.

Lights

Back on the topic of making offices more comfortable, there will be a bigger focus on choosing the right lighting solutions. Bright white lights are no longer the top choice. They feel too austere and severe. Instead, the preference is for softer lighting. It means less glare and doesn’t create harsh shadows. Crucially, businesses should choose lights that feel more like home because they maximise comfort.

Invest in modern commercial architecture

Businesses have plenty to think about today, particularly employee wellbeing and retention. Creating amazing offices where people have a great experience every time they step through the door is a very smart idea. It ensures employees want to come to work and makes a wonderful impression on visitors.

If you want to create a fantastic office, you can rely on Coffey Architects. We’ve got plenty of experience, supporting clients in various industries. Crucially, we can deliver high spec designs and ensure sustainability. So, talk to us about commercial architecture. We’ll work with any kind of brief and share our own ideas.

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Big change

Notably, there has been a change in how the UN defines urban areas. This actually means the overall ranking of biggest cities in the world is different. Traditionally, they used various country-specific definitions. That causes a problem though because they are not consistent, skewing the results. To address this, they are now using a new approach, Degrees of Urbanisation. It provides consistency by ensuring they factor in the same criteria.

The biggest headline from the report is Tokyo is no longer the most populous city in the world. It had the title for decades, serving as a case study of the development and problems in a massive metropolitan area. However, with the new ranking system, it falls to third with a population of 33 million. Interestingly, the number of residents is actually declining too.

The new rankings name Jakarta as the city with the biggest population. The total number of residents is closing in on 42 million. Critically, it is more densely populated today and the urban area also continues to grow. Dhaka got the second spot with a population close to 40 million.

Problems

Overall, the UN report claims a massive 45% of people around the planet live in a city. That is an incredible 25% increase since 1950. Projections estimate we could pass 66% by 2050. This will have a huge impact on key things like housing, commercial architecture, infrastructure, public space, and more in urban areas around the world.

Jakarta is a great example of the problems that happen when cities become so massive. It has serious issues with density, mobility, and air quality. There are risks of flooding and subsidence. Critically, close to 40% of the city is below sea level so it faces critical challenges.

One way the Indonesian Government is looking to address the problems in Jakarta is a “managed retreat”. This is a strategy to relocate the capital to a new administrative centre at Nusantara on Borneo. The plan got approval back in 2019. Since then there has been extensive planning to design buildings, public transport, and pedestrian infrastructure. Critically, the designs consider the local terrain and environment. The goal is to ensure the new city is adaptable and sustainable.

It will be interesting to see if the plans for Nusantara come to fruition. There is certainly support for them, and construction began in 2022, but such a big development and relocation comes with issues. Key here is focus on the logistics and impact on the environment.

Speak to us about designing commercial architecture and more for cities

Coffey Architects understands the challenges of cities. There is a lot to think about to ensure they work effectively. Even more importantly, it is vital to look at the environment and health of residents. Good design goes a very long way.

If you need some help with a project, we’d love to work with you. We’re based in London, so we know all about working in a big city. Our portfolio is extensive, including commercial architecture, homes, housing and more. Whatever you are envisioning, we can give you creative solutions. So, get in touch today.

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While it’s a really good thing that people are more aware of the impact of demolition and the benefits of redevelopment, it does raise key questions. It’s important to weigh up whether it is possible to redevelop or if demolishing is the only option. Let’s have a closer look.

When is it appropriate to demolish?

The key thing is to look at demolition as the final option. It should only be a consideration after exhausting all other possibilities.

There are two major situations when it is best to demolish and start again. First is if the current building has serious structural problems. If it is dangerous because of cracks in the foundations or other issues, there may be no way to retain the building. Secondly, if there is extensive damage because of a fire, flooding, pests, or neglect, the cost of redevelopment may make it impossible to redevelop.

Another key reason why demolition may be the only option for some buildings is the current layout. Sadly, in many cases older commercial architecture is quite inflexible. It can make it difficult to redevelop it for new use. In many situations it also prevents a change of use as homes would be too small or not suitable for modern living.

Finally, demolition may be best if the infrastructure is insufficient. For example, the wiring may be extremely old and costly to upgrade to modern standards. There could also be issues with water, HVAC, and fire safety.

Redevelop

If there are no serious issues like the ones above, redevelopment should be the focus. For example, if the building only needs basic things like minor repairs and upgrades, you can work with what you have. Keep in mind you can accomplish great things with the right renovations. This can include changes in layouts to improve traffic flow.

Generally, redevelopment is the best option if you want to retain the history and character of a building. Maybe you’re starting with something like an old factory or warehouse that has significant historical value for the area. If so, do your best to retain it, especially the most important features.

Need some help with commercial architecture?

It can be a very tough decision to make if you’re thinking about whether to demolish or redevelop. We urge you to think carefully before committing, especially to plans that would result in the loss of buildings or materials that still have lots of value.

We’d love to help you decide what to do on your project. We can look at all kinds of options, including redevelopment and renovation, partial or full demolition. We’ve got experience with commercial architecture, homes, and more. So, get in touch today and let’s create the perfect plan.

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The area

The Hub, an impressive 42,000sq/ft development, will be the commercial and community heart of Wintringham. It will be a key asset for residents of the 2,800 new neighbourhood as well as the 30,000+ people in the wider area.

There are some fantastic details to look at. Firstly, the design includes a 22,000 sq/ft food hall for M&S. It will be the ideal place for locals to do a weekly shop. Additionally, there will be 15,000sq/ft of space for other retail uses and offices. Both of these buildings will define the edges of a new public square at the development.

A third new 4,500sq/ft building will provide a food and beverage pavilion. Incredibly, it is designed from timber; the structural itself is mass timber and it also has a CLT roof deck. This will make it impressively sustainable.

Inspiration

St Neots has an incredible history. Most interestingly, remains of an Iron Age settlement were found in the town. So, we’ve taken inspiration from this to create a fantastic hub for the area, complete with new commercial architecture, leisure space, and more.

The arrangement of the new buildings is the most obvious element taking inspiration from the Iron Age era. Crucially, we did a reinterpretation of roundhouses because they are a significant design from the period. Using parametric modelling, we designed undulating facades for the buildings to give the Hub a wonderful cohesive identity.

Another element of the design where you can see our celebration the heritage of the area is the landscaping. It takes inspiration from the archaeology. Crucially, it includes play areas, greenery, and new street furniture, creating spaces for gathering.

Providing what people want

Our goal for the Hub was to create a space that would be perfect for the community. Crucially, we responded to feedback from several rounds of public engagement. Locals were clear about what they wanted; spaces for shopping and food and drink while also reflecting the area’s character and heritage.

Talk to us about commercial architecture

Coffey Architects loves designing incredible buildings, especially when they can serve as the heart of new communities. The Hub shows what we can do in terms of elegant, sustainable designs. It’ll be a great asset for the area, providing welcoming, uplifting spaces for locals and other visitors.

So, if you’re thinking of a development and want to work with passionate experts, we’d love to help. You can rely on us to work with any kind of commercial architecture, including massive shops, food pavilions, offices, and more. We can also do mixed-used developments too. Get in touch today and let’s create something iconic and timeless.

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