Plus X is an innovation hub that transforms places and helps ambitious businesses to grow in towns and cities across the UK. Incorporating inspiring work space, specialist facilities, expertise and support, Plus X creates a fertile environment that drives prosperity and thriving innovation communities.

Pilbrow & Partners has helped Plus X establish space standards and a clear and consistent design approach providing different working environments to create a variety of spaces to suites all needs, united by a strong architectural identity.

The design fosters productivity, communication and collaboration. Layouts are structured to deliver efficient and flexible workspace together with specialist facilities such as prototyping labs, workshops and media suites.

Work spaces have been designed as healthy, effective and with well-being at their core, setting the benchmark for employee welfare while minimizing at the same time the building environmental impact.

Pilbrow & Partners’ research group has developed evolutionary AI algorithms to assess alternative layouts.Factors such as spatial connectivity, visual perception and desk layout were evaluated in conjunction with environmental parameters such as quality of lighting, temperature, and noise levels affecting the fact-to-face communication in the office space.

P&P have undertaken 5 projects on behalf of Plus X which apply the brand standards to the refurbishment of existing buildings. Plus X Sutton Works is a collaboration between Plus X and Sutton Council. The site is located near Sutton train station between Throwley Way and Sutton High Street.

The existing building, 35,000 sqf GIA. dates from the 1970s and is arranged on ground and four upper levels about a retail arcade. Changes in retail have left a legacy of vacant units and the council were keen to repurpose the building as a workspace supporting local enterprise. The building is concrete framed, deep plan with poor connectivity and levels of natural light. Floor levels across the site were complex with changes of levels between the front and back of the building.

We carved a generous toplit atrium into the heart of the plan to provide both daylight, vertical circulation and a social focal point to the new facility. A range of hotdesks, studio space and specialist maker space provides 463 workstations with an average density of 4.8m2 NIA per workstation. The proposals include social spaces enlivening the public realm and at roof level where a café benefits from a generously scaled roof terrace.