Creating a Hub for Skills, Innovation and Business Growth
Ecclesiastical Insurance Group required a new headquarters that would support modern, agile ways of working while complementing the larger developments already established at Gloucester Business Park. Their brief called for a high quality, energy efficient office building that could evolve over time — a workplace capable of adapting as the organisation and its people continue to grow.
Located on the southwestern edge of the Business Park, we acted as architect for the three-story new build office, working with Arlington on a pre-let for Ecclesiastical Insurance Group. The project includes associated car parking alongside a carefully balanced mix of soft and hard landscaping, helping to set the tone for a welcoming, people focused environment.
We designed the building to provide flexible, air conditioned workspace that meets modern commercial standards while prioritising long term adaptability. The floor plates can be subdivided on a floor by floor or part floor basis, enabling the building to respond easily to changing occupancy needs, new technologies, and evolving patterns of work.
A generously scaled entrance plaza forms the primary point of arrival, creating a clear and inviting transition between the headquarters and the wider Business Park. High quality landscaping enhances this sense of arrival, offering staff and visitors a more uplifting experience, while secure design principles ensure safe and intuitive pedestrian movement on and around the site.
Positioning the building slightly north within the plot allowed us to reduce walking distances to local amenities and create an east facing orientation that improves daylight access and workplace comfort. This strategic placement also forms a natural screen between the car parking areas and the entrance plaza, reinforcing a calm, legible arrival sequence.
Situated close to the recently extended infrastructure road, the headquarters has a strong presence within Gloucester Business Park, establishing a confident architectural identity for the organisation. The finished building successfully delivers the client’s vision for a modern, energy efficient workplace that not only complements its surroundings but also supports employee wellbeing, productivity and future organisational growth.
