SEASON 2 EPISODE 13:

Nicola Rutt:
Industrial Rehab and transforming old buildings

This week on the SpaceCraft podcast, Dan Moscrop discusses innovative architecture and transformative workspace strategies with Nicola Russon from Hawkins Brown, exploring the firm's industrial rehab philosophy.

They discuss how Nicola joined Hawkins Brown 20 years ago and her initial impressions, covering notable projects like the acclaimed Park Hill estate renovation using collaborative design principles.

Nicola highlights Hawkins Brown's unique approach integrating artists, designers and creative partners into architectural projects, like the Daniel Buren installation at Tottenham Court Road station.

A main focus is the "Industrial Rehab" report produced with JLL, examining global reuse and repurposing of former industrial buildings through adaptive reuse and workplace transformation.

Nicola explains how her industrial conversion research inspired the report showcasing 12 diverse international case studies of rehabilitated spaces like shipyards, print works and warehouses.

They explore the challenges and benefits of renovating massive industrial structures, including retaining character, sustainability and preserving social/community value through branded placemaking.

A key example is Here East in London's Olympic Park, where Hawkins Brown converted former broadcast studios into a mixed-use innovation campus blending workplaces, academic spaces through visionary branded architecture.

The discussion covers broader workplace trends of interest like blurred office/education/residential boundaries, health/wellness amenities, and agile flexible working policies enabled by transformative design.