Set within the Derngate Conservation Area and immediately south of the Northampton town centre, the Vulcan Works brings together a collection of buildings of differing ages, some of which are Grade II listed. These are to house a range of creative and technology-based start-ups including advertising, architecture, art, crafts, design, fashion, film, music, performing arts, publishing, and software. Originally the site of traditional local industries, such as ironworks, leather merchants, and manufacturers, the reimagined Vulcan Works now provides managed workspaces and studios for creative small to medium enterprises (SMEs), within flexible and affordable units. The overarching aim of the conversion and extension is to stimulate regeneration in a key area of the town centre and strengthen Northampton’s offer to emergent industries. 

The design team adopted an approach that enhanced and responded to the existing buildings within the site, while also taking the opportunity to create an outstanding piece of new architectural design. The design incorporates two striking, contemporary new buildings to the North and South of the site, one of which connects the ground floor with the old Fetter Street and Victorian workshops.  

 
Internally a light-touch approach is taken throughout the existing buildings with the workshops maintaining an industrial feel featuring exposed brickwork walls, roof structure, and visible services. These themes were continued through to the new build elements to merge the old and new styles seamlessly. The finer, fully finished interiors within both the Weights & Measures and Guildhall Road buildings are maintained with upgraded thermal performance. The development has created 68 lettable units ranging from 10m sq. to 100m sq. in size.  

Creating flexible, yet purpose-built spaces to adapt to future styles of working was a key requirement for the client. Breaking the mould of the outdated, siloed offices of the past, Vulcan Works provides workspaces with collaboration, inclusivity, and creativity at its core. A proportion of the 68 units created have centralised spaces designed specifically for networking and collaboration, as well as plant rooms, meeting areas, and photocopying facilities. An entrepreneurial hub was added to the reception area of some of the units, all aimed to facilitate learning, and sharing and inspire creativity. All units were retrofitted specifically to accommodate a range of SMEs and industries, for example, some spaces without direct windows to the street were adapted to host “making” industries, which are less sensitive to the absences of external views, whilst roof lighting provides extensive natural light. In contrast, spaces along Fetter Street were adapted to stimulate active frontages, making the most of footfall.  

The Vulcan Works can now be considered a fully accessible and inclusive built environment. Previously spread across ten different buildings, with no lifts and no accessible toilet provision the space is now transformed to provide workspaces to all, including those with low mobility. Despite the challenging topography, three platform lifts were positioned throughout to aid access, and the layout of the floor plans was designed for clear and legible access across the whole building, alongside inclusive signage and wayfinding to guide building users. In the new-build accommodation, all ends of corridors benefit from a large window, to assist orientation, and to provide enjoyable views across the Cultural Quarter. Finally, shower and WC areas, which are conveniently close to all locations within the site, integrate fully accessible facilities, alongside standard provision.