Spindles, Transformation into a Civic and Cultural Hub
Greater Manchester

Location

Oldham

Status

Complete

Sector

Culture & Community

Client

Oldham Council

The Oldham Spindles project demonstrates how commercial interior design can transform a space into a vibrant, community-focused civic and cultural hub. Located in the heart of Oldham, the redevelopment of a former shopping centre brings new life to the area, creating a modern, inclusive environment for the community.

This project is part of a broader, pioneering redevelopment plan by Oldham Council, which aims to transform Spindles Town Square from a retail-centric space into a multifunctional area that serves the entire community. The plan will not only deliver office and co-working spaces but will also include a retail market, new archive centre, leisure, and entertainment facilities. Work is already underway, and over the coming months, Oldham will start to see these plans come to life. The office space transformation is the first phase to be completed, with many more developments to follow.

The client’s brief for this initial phase was clear, to reimagine a dated 1990s shopping centre into a vibrant, multi-functional hub. Our focus was to transform the upper floors into modern office and customer service spaces for Oldham Council, alongside co-working facilities that support flexible working and foster collaboration.

By consolidating several Council offices into a single, central location, this redevelopment improves accessibility, reduces operational costs, and helps to drive regeneration in the town centre.

The space needed to reflect Oldham's industrial heritage while also offering a modern and welcoming atmosphere. The design had to foster collaboration, creativity, and interaction, while maintaining privacy and security in certain areas.

“We put our residents at the heart of everything we do and we’re proud to be putting investment into our customer support services so that our residents can get the support they need, face to face, in convenient locations across our borough. This project has formed part of a unique opportunity for us to develop a new space that supports the current and future needs of our residents and businesses here at the Spindles.”
— Cllr Peter Dean, Cabinet member, Thriving Communities & Culture

The success of this project’s office transformation was underpinned by innovative adaptive reuse. The upper floors were converted into light-filled office spaces, thanks to façade modifications and careful space planning.

Our task was to integrate multiple functions within the office space, ensuring that each area was visually striking and highly functional. This approach not only encouraged social interaction but also provided private areas for work, meetings, and sensitive services. Our goal was to create a space that benefits all users by empowering everyone who works, collaborates, or meets there.

The design of the office space celebrates Oldham’s industrial roots while embracing a modern, functional approach. At the heart of the design was the need to cater to a wide range of users, including young professionals, established staff, entrepreneurs, and local community members. Due to the open nature and volume of the space, it was important to create distinct avenues leading into the office areas. These avenues subtly zone the space, providing a welcoming and structured environment for staff and visitors alike.

The office layout was designed with flexibility in mind, offering spaces for both private work and collaborative activities.

Meeting rooms were strategically placed along the perimeter, ensuring privacy for focused work while maximising natural light throughout the space.

Team zones were situated between the meeting rooms and social hubs, with quiet areas placed adjacent to the meeting rooms and more interactive spaces located nearer the social hubs to encourage collaboration.

The entrance to the office space is through a central rotunda that leads into a reception area. The MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) is located at the top of the rotunda, providing a secure and private area for confidential work.

Secure public meeting rooms are also housed within this area, ensuring the public does not need to pass through speed gates leading to the main office and third-party spaces.

The location of the MASH and these sensitive meeting rooms was carefully considered to ensure a direct and supportive route from the public support space below. Given the nature of the conversations taking place in this area, the journey for the public and the overall design were key to creating a safe, accessible, and discreet environment.

A central element of the project was celebrating and responding to the building’s existing architecture, ensuring the space worked effectively for its end users. The materials, shapes, and positioning of the meeting rooms draw inspiration from Oldham’s industrial heritage, incorporating elements such as brick patterns and stained-glass motifs influenced by the work of Brian Clarke. These motifs are reflected in the colour palettes and fabric patterns, injecting vibrancy into the more social areas, while the quieter working spaces feature a more neutral palette to support focus and concentration. These details pay tribute to Oldham’s past while creating a modern and welcoming office environment.

Furthermore, biophilic design principles were integrated into the space, incorporating natural materials, greenery, and large windows to create a sense of well-being and harmony. This connection to nature promotes productivity while also offering a calming atmosphere that benefits all users. These natural elements complement the industrial features of the building, striking a balance between old and new.

Sustainability was a core consideration for the council. The previous civic building was no longer energy-efficient, so relocating to an existing building, rather than constructing a new one, was a key step in improving sustainability. The new space is designed to be more energy-efficient, featuring motion-activated lighting in meeting rooms and allowing the council to consolidate operations, reducing the need for multiple buildings across the city. Wherever possible, existing furniture, such as desks and lockers, was repurposed and integrated into the new design. Additionally, all new flooring was supplied by Tarkett, ensuring it can be uplifted and fully recycled in the future, supporting a circular approach to materials.

The Oldham Spindles workplace project successfully creates flexible, inclusive, and sustainable spaces that serve the community and supports local businesses. By celebrating Oldham’s industrial heritage, the project fosters collaboration, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. This first phase of the redevelopment marks a key milestone in Oldham’s transformation, with much more to follow. We are proud to have contributed to this ambitious project, creating a space that honours the town’s past while embracing its future.