Brief/
The former Maynards Toffee Factory is located In the Ouseburn Valley area of Newcastle close to the Ouseburn’s confluence with the Tyne and adjacent to Newcastle Quayside. The Victorian building, an abandoned shell since a fire in the mid 1980’s, is to be refurbished and extended to provide approximately 2,600sqm of ‘move-on’ office accommodation for those in the creative industries sector who are ready to expand out of existing incubator space, but who would still benefit from a semi-managed environment. The building will also provide a hub for surrounding businesses through access to services and opportunities for professional interaction.

Design/
The design approach was to retain and exploit the existing brick building as much as possible with a modest single storey extension at second floor level. This extends to the elevational treatment where existing idiosyncrasies are incorporated within the design rather than simply ironed out. An external courtyard is created between the two wings of the existing building at its centre the Victorian brick factory chimney, a landmark in the area, is refurbished and illuminated at night. The scheme aims to achieve a BREEAM Very Good rating and includes a Biomass boiler and where possible naturally lit and ventilated office space.