Aspire Head Office, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Newcastle-under-Lyme Council’s housing department was undergoing a transformation, being set up as a separate entity under the name Aspire Housing and, as part of this shift, Aspire required a new head office to support the growing organisation and its operations. They purchased a building known as ‘Kingsley,’ located on The Brampton. This historic structure had previously been used by the Milk Marketing Board and needed significant adaptation to meet the council’s modern requirements. The project brief outlined a need for a variety of spaces, including office areas, customer reception and interview rooms, conference rooms, a call centre, and a staff restaurant, all under one roof.

To meet the ambitious brief, the design team focused on adapting and developing the original Kingsley building rather than constructing entirely new facilities. This approach preserved the building’s historical value while incorporating the necessary modern functionalities. Careful refurbishment was carried out with great attention to detail, ensuring that the original features of Kingsley were carefully conserved. These included beautiful plaster cornices, decorative skylights, exposed king post timber trusses, and traditional sash windows, all of which contributed to the character and charm of the building.

In terms of the entrance design, the goal was to create a welcoming and complementary feature that seamlessly connected with the existing structure. The design introduced banding to the brickwork, mirroring the recessed banding present in the rendered walls of Kingsley. The main entrance, strategically positioned at the end of the entrance drive, was designed to be easily identifiable from the Brampton. This thoughtful placement ensured that customers and visitors could easily navigate to the building and find their way, making the entire site both functional and aesthetically pleasing.