Project Description:

This project forms part of the staged renovation of Bar Build's headquarters in Thame, Oxfordshire, extending a windowless space above the workshop into a light filled kitchen and suite of meeting rooms. A durable, soundproofed concrete style floor runs throughout, paired with warm oak cladding, matte black walls and fully integrated lighting.

Phase one addressed a kitchen that had become too small and awkward for a growing team, alongside a new need for private spaces to hold video calls. The extension sat above the workshop with no natural light to draw on, so a skylight was introduced to flood the space with daylight, with a second window framing a view down into the workshop below for a touch of interest. Two small meeting rooms, each seating four to five, were built with recessed TVs and curved bench seating tucked into the wall, softening the edges of a tight footprint. A stylised hallway links these spaces through to a larger meeting room, reconfigured and extended by a metre to comfortably seat sixteen. A vaulted ceiling and a reworked end wall, its small triangular window replaced with a full height window and long band of glazing beneath, bring countryside views into what was previously an unusable space. Storage ran through every decision. What had been a single cramped access point became a full run of doors along one wall, nearly doubling capacity, with the same principle applied to the kitchen to keep every space clear and uncluttered despite the volume of people it now needs to hold. Delivered to a considered budget, the result still needed to feel every bit as impressive as the building company it represents.

Phase one addressed a kitchen that had become too small and awkward for a growing team, alongside a new need for private spaces to hold video calls. The extension sat above the workshop with no natural light to draw on, so a skylight was introduced to flood the space with daylight, with a second window framing a view down into the workshop below for a touch of interest. Two small meeting rooms, each seating four to five, were built with recessed TVs and curved bench seating tucked into the wall, softening the edges of a tight footprint. A stylised hallway links these spaces through to a larger meeting room, reconfigured and extended by a metre to comfortably seat sixteen. A vaulted ceiling and a reworked end wall, its small triangular window replaced with a full height window and long band of glazing beneath, bring countryside views into what was previously an unusable space. Storage ran through every decision. What had been a single cramped access point became a full run of doors along one wall, nearly doubling capacity, with the same principle applied to the kitchen to keep every space clear and uncluttered despite the volume of people it now needs to hold. Delivered to a considered budget, the result still needed to feel every bit as impressive as the building company it represents.

CATEGORY:

Commercial Interior Design

CLIENT:

Barr Build

LOCATION:

Thame, Oxfordshire

SERVICES:

Interior Architecture / Space Planning / Bespoke Joinery / Lighting Design / Procurement / Styling

Glazed meeting-room door with dark metal framing beside upholstered bench seating.
Close-up of a timber cabinet, stone basin and vertical brass wall detail.
Round meeting table with dark chairs beside a potted tree and integrated wall lighting.
Timber-panelled meeting space with bench seating, a small table and warm wall lights.
Open timber shelves with books, ceramics and a trailing plant beside dark cabinetry.
Meeting-room wall with coat hooks, a black folding panel and upholstered bench seating.
Compact kitchenette with pale cupboards, an inset sink and integrated task lighting.
Upholstered meeting-room bench beneath timber wall panelling and recessed lighting.
Compact kitchenette with pale cupboards, an inset sink and integrated task lighting.
Meeting room with a long table, dark chairs, timber panelling and a large corner window.

Working with Kirstie at Ordinary Interiors was altogether a very satisfactory and productive experience. Firstly, they listened to our ideas and came back with a design which was responsive while containing elements that we had not and would not have thought of. This consultative approach continued through the implementation phase. Not only were we kept up to date with progress, but we were consulted when adjustments had to be made to the original plan. Last but not least, they were very conscious of the agreed budget and worked diligently to adhere to it. We are extremely pleased with what Ordinary Interiors did for us and have no hesitation in recommending them to prospective clients.

“Mary & Mike”

Built-in dining nook with a dark timber table, bowl of oranges and upholstered bench.

Let’s create something
extraordinary.

Because the right design decisions made early can transform the entire experience of creating a home.

Because the right design decisions made early can transform the entire experience of creating a home.

Striped cushions on a built-in window seat beside open shelves and a low timber table.

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