Light Industrial & R&D Workplace Design
We design and deliver high-performing workplaces within light industrial environments, bringing together R&D, laboratories, production, warehousing and office functions under one roof.
Where Research & Development, Production and people come together
We design and deliver high-performing workplaces within light industrial environments, bringing together R&D, laboratories, production, warehousing and office functions under one roof.
From growing technology and engineering businesses to specialist manufacturers and product development companies, we create environments that balance operational performance with the quality, flexibility and experience your people and clients expect.
Designed around the way your business works
Light industrial buildings are rarely just warehouses. For many businesses, they are where research, product development, testing, production, logistics and office-based teams all come together. That creates a unique workplace challenge.
We design environments around the way your business actually operates, considering how people, products, equipment and materials move through the building. From specialist R&D and laboratory spaces to production areas, workshops, storage and collaborative workplaces, every element is considered as part of one connected environment. The result is a workplace that supports your operation today while giving your business the flexibility to grow tomorrow.
Connecting R&D, production and the workplace
When R&D and operational teams work alongside office-based functions, the workplace can become a powerful tool for collaboration and innovation. We create environments that encourage those connections without compromising the specialist requirements of each function. Dedicated laboratories, testing areas, technical workshops and production spaces can sit alongside meeting rooms, collaboration areas, offices and staff facilities, creating a more cohesive workplace experience.
By bringing these environments together, we help businesses create stronger connections between the people developing products, the teams delivering them and the wider organisation supporting them.
Making industrial space work harder.
Light industrial buildings can offer significant space and flexibility, but making the most of them requires careful planning. Our workplace strategy process helps establish how the building needs to support your people, processes and future growth before design begins.
We consider the building as a whole, identifying opportunities to improve workflow, maximise usable space and create a better experience for employees and visitors.
This can include:
- R&D and laboratory environments
- Production and manufacturing areas
- Technical workshops and testing spaces
- Warehouse and storage facilities
- Office and administrative spaces
- Mezzanine floors and additional accommodation
- Meeting and collaboration areas
- Staff kitchens, breakout and welfare facilities
- Specialist mechanical, electrical and technical requirements
Built for today, ready for what’s next
Growth is often one of the reasons businesses move into light industrial premises. The additional volume can provide the capacity to increase production, expand R&D teams or accommodate future growth. We consider that future from the beginning.
Our designs can incorporate flexible office areas, adaptable R&D environments, mezzanine accommodation and layouts that allow operational areas to evolve as your business develops. Where furniture, storage and worksettings are part of the brief, our office furniture expertise helps ensure the finished environment is practical, comfortable and ready to use.
By considering future requirements alongside today’s brief, we help you invest in a workplace that can continue to support the business for years to come.
Technical environments, Human workplaces
Industrial and technical spaces need to perform. But they also need to work for the people who use them every day. We believe there is no reason why a laboratory, workshop, production facility or warehouse-based workplace should feel purely functional.
Through our interior architecture and design approach, we bring the same attention to detail, brand and employee experience that we apply across our wider workplace projects. The result is a professional, welcoming environment that reflects your organisation.
From the reception your clients see to the R&D environment your technical teams rely on, every part of the workplace contributes to how your business is experienced.
One team from strategy to delivery
Light industrial and R&D projects often involve greater technical complexity than a conventional office fit out. Specialist equipment, building services, ventilation, power requirements, access, circulation and operational processes all need to be coordinated alongside the workplace design.
Our integrated approach brings workplace strategy, interior architecture, technical coordination and engineering and construction and project delivery together, giving you one team responsible for understanding the brief and delivering the finished environment.
We manage the relationship between design, building and operation, helping to reduce complexity and ensuring the finished workplace performs as intended.
Workplaces built around people.
Every project we deliver starts with understanding your organisation, your people and how your business operates.
For light industrial and R&D environments, that means looking beyond the office. We consider the complete employee journey, from arrival and welfare facilities through to laboratories, workshops, production areas and collaborative spaces.
The result is an environment that supports productivity, collaboration, wellbeing and growth, while remaining firmly connected to the operational needs of the business.
“Partnering with Spectrum Workplace was a game-changer for us. Being based in New York, delivering projects abroad can be challenging, but the Spectrum team made the process seamless.
Their designers guided us through every aspect of the design, and their project manager provided consistent weekly updates, and even delivered the project a week ahead of schedule!”
“What we liked about Spectrum was the track record they’ve got. Some of the spaces they’ve designed elsewhere we really liked the look of.
We like the fact that it’s kind of an all-in-one shop in that we are just dealing with one organisation. They’re then dealing with all of the trades for us.”
“From my standpoint, it is extremely difficult to manage a London buildout from the United States but, fortunately, we had the guidance and dedication of the Spectrum Workplace team. You did a phenomenal job with our project.
Challenges were met with positivity and solutions found swiftly. Our aggressive timeline was met, all while keeping budget in mind. We love our space! Thank you!”
“We partnered with the Spectrum team on the design journey for our Guildford studio, transforming our recording studios, staff deli, meeting areas, and collaboration zones. Not only did they deliver truly exceptional design ideas, but they also proved to be an outstanding project management partner on site.
Since completion, we’ve had Spectrum back to support additional smaller enhancements to the space — a testament to the trust and confidence we have in their work.”
“We enjoyed working with Spectrum Workplace on the design and refurbishment of our offices in Kennington Park in London.
Their expert advice helped create an office that we are really proud of and consequently has boosted our staff productivity.”
“Working with Spectrum the expectations from the business were exceptionally high. However, as we sit and as we walk around the building today and have a look around you will clearly see it reflects exactly what it is we wanted to achieve.
Working with the team has just been seamless, nothing is too small or too large in terms of our expectations and I seriously cannot fault what you guys have done as a team.”
“Working with Spectrum has been not just a pleasure from start to finish throughout the project but Spectrum helped us realise what our vision was for our headquarters today.
Where our employees can be happy, where they can feel proud of where they come to work every day.”
“Throughout our whole engagement, the key to this project was striking the right balance between professionalism and warmth.
Every design decision was made to support both the client experience and the day-to-day needs of the teams working there.”
“We’ve gone from a tired, underused and dark space to a modern, open and inclusive space that will help with collaboration.
It also provides a really positive work atmosphere.”
“The new headquarters for Pelham Laboratories in Waterlooville was designed to combine modern office space with a fully equipped R&D laboratory. The fit-out introduced client-facing areas, open-plan workspaces, and a breakout zone to enhance staff comfort.
With a focus on sustainable finishes and professional presentation, the design reflects Pelham’s brand standards while supporting productivity and growth within the cosmetics industry.”
“As a showcase office in King’s Cross, this project for Checkatrade was designed not only to enhance talent attraction and performance but also to create a powerful client-facing environment.
The reception and breakout areas provide a welcoming first impression, while the bold brand colours and high-energy sales floor reinforce the company’s dynamic culture. Meeting rooms were planned to host clients in a professional yet vibrant setting, giving visitors a clear sense of the brand’s ambition and values.”
“Spectrum helped us reconfigure our new workspace and it looks fabulous.
Their expertise and support made the process much easier and a less stressful process than anticipated. All members of the team were professional and helpful. We are so pleased with the results and highly recommend them.”
“We are absolutely delighted with the recent refurbishment of our Learning Centres, completed by Spectrum.
From the very beginning, the team demonstrated a level of professionalism and care that exceeded our expectations.”
“The Manchester office for Compass Associates was designed to reflect the same strong brand identity established in their Portsmouth HQ, while also creating a workplace that enhanced wellbeing and supported growth.
The design introduced a new breakout space, upgraded meeting rooms, and flexible workstations, ensuring the office could adapt to the needs of both staff and clients. Careful attention was given to consistency in style and detail, while also bringing in fresh elements to suit the new location.”
“From the very first conversation, Spectrum completely understood our vision and brought it to life with creativity, professionalism, and an incredible attention to detail.”
“The new office for RiskFirst was designed to accommodate their expanding team and provide a platform for collaboration.
The scheme delivered a bold and creative design with a strong ‘wow’ factor, while incorporating new working spaces such as informal collaboration zones, and a vibrant breakout area.”
“The team at Spectrum have been a pleasure to work with, from first design ideas to the finished product. Approaching the design of our new office space, without any of our own ideas, Hannah was able to understand our vision of the environment we wanted for our employees and clients and delivered a plan that was beyond our expectations.
The construction team kept us well informed and updated on progress, giving us regular walkthroughs as the project developed.”
“I would be happy to recommend Spectrum as a trusted workplace partner for any project.”
“Southern Co-op’s headquarters was always about one thing: its people.
The new activity-based working environment replaces outdated, cluttered spaces with flexible settings that support collaboration, wellbeing and social connection.
Central to our design is a central hub inspired by the Southern Co-op logo, creating a strong sense of identity and cultural inclusion. My favourite part is the bespoke teapoint made from recycled materials, celebrating their Cobra Coffee brand and Southern Co-op’s sustainability values.”
“We would definitely recommend Spectrum, I’ve already had discussions with other people who are looking for internal refurbishment and we would recommend them to anyone that asked.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is light industrial workplace design?
Light industrial workplace design brings together R&D, laboratories, production, warehousing, technical areas and office accommodation. It considers how these functions work together rather than treating them as separate spaces.
Can you design R&D and laboratory environments within industrial buildings?
Yes. We can incorporate specialist R&D, laboratory, testing and technical environments alongside office, production and warehouse functions.
Can you transform an existing warehouse into a workplace?
Yes. Existing industrial buildings can often be adapted to create a combination of office, R&D, production and operational spaces.
Can you include mezzanine floors?
Yes. Where appropriate, mezzanine floors can provide additional office, meeting, R&D, storage or welfare accommodation while making better use of the building’s volume.
Do you manage the construction as well as the design?
Yes. Our construction and project delivery team can manage the project from design through to completion.
Can you design around our existing production or R&D operation?
Yes. We consider workflow, equipment, people movement, storage, servicing and operational requirements alongside the workplace design.
