29 Calisen 3Z7A7717

Calisen

,

46 Calisen 1D0A8768
Client

Calisen

Location

Wigan

Project Duration

24 weeks

Project Size

18,500 sqft

Sector

Energy / Utilities

Project Background and Overview

Calisen required a new office environment in Wigan to support a growing workforce and reflect the organisation’s focus on smarter energy solutions.

The brief was to create a modern workplace that balanced collaboration, focused work and staff wellbeing within an existing building shell.

The project involved a full office design and fit-out, transforming the space into a functional, people-focused working environment.

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Solutions and Approach

  • The layout was organised around a mix of open-plan work areas, enclosed meeting rooms and informal collaboration spaces.
  • Clear zoning allows teams to move easily between focused work, meetings and social areas throughout the day.
  • Design choices draw on the building’s industrial character, with exposed brickwork, visible services and a restrained material palette providing a robust backdrop for daily use.
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Design Features

  • Acoustic baffles and ceiling rafts are used throughout open areas to manage sound and improve comfort without enclosing the space.
  • Large meeting rooms feature suspended feature lighting and timber ceiling elements to visually define spaces and support longer periods of use.
  • Glazed partitions allow natural light to pass through the floorplate while maintaining privacy in meeting rooms and quiet spaces.
  • Breakout and lounge areas introduce softer furniture, planting and textured finishes, creating contrast with the more functional work zones.
  • Branding is integrated through signage, wall graphics and colour accents, reinforcing identity without dominating the workspace.

Challenges and Solutions

  • The key challenge was accommodating multiple work settings within a single open floorplan while maintaining clarity and ease of movement. This was addressed through straightforward circulation routes, consistent furniture layouts and clear visual cues between different zones.
  • Respecting the mill’s original architectural features while delivering effective acoustic performance, particularly within spaces with 4m-high ceilings and large original windows, required detailed acoustic analysis to control reverberation and reduce unnecessary noise without compromising the character of the building.

Results and Benefits

  • The completed office provides Calisen with a flexible, modern working environment that supports a range of work styles.
  • Teams benefit from improved acoustic comfort, better access to natural light, and a clearer distinction between collaborative and focused spaces.
  • The workplace supports day-to-day efficiency while offering spaces that contribute positively to staff experience and wellbeing.

Key Takeaways

  • Acoustic treatments are essential in open-plan offices to support focus and comfort
  • Retaining and celebrating existing building features adds character without complexity
  • A mix of formal and informal spaces supports different ways of working

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