Spode

This project represents a sensitive and purposeful transformation of part of the historic Spode site in Stoke-on-Trent. Developed in close collaboration with the client, the design celebrates the industrial character of the building while creating flexible, accessible workspaces for a new generation of tenants.

A Respectful Reuse, Rooted in Character

From the outset, the approach was one of enhancement rather than erasure. Working within the existing shell, the design team sought to reveal and elevate the building’s original features, exposing brickwork, timber king trusses, and jack-arched ceilings. Every intervention was intentional, allowing new elements to exist clearly and honestly alongside the old.

Design Approach: Maximising Character, Not Just Space

The challenge was not simply to make the building usable, but to make it meaningful. Each spatial decision worked to preserve the integrity of the structure while creating bespoke office environments suited to hand-picked tenants. The fit-out is expressed with clarity, new meets old in ways that feel respectful, but never timid.

Accessibility was fundamental. The design is fully inclusive and compliant with all accessibility standards, ensuring the building can serve a wide range of users without compromise.

A particularly notable gesture was the retention and reinstatement of the iconic yellow gas pipe - once the main supply line for the entire Spode site. Rather than conceal this industrial relic, the team restored its original bright colour, allowing it to stand proudly as a subtle tribute to the site’s working past.

Material Strategy: Honest, Adaptive, Contextual

Where new materials were introduced, they were selected to sit comfortably alongside the building’s aged textures, enhancing rather than competing. The exposed interventions maintain a clear dialogue with the building fabric, emphasising craft, clarity, and purpose.

Beyond materials, the project takes a progressive stance on sustainability. The site now benefits from access to a biomass boiler and will soon be connected to a localised district heating system, reducing operational costs and minimising environmental impact.

Outcome

This project is more than a retrofit, it is a quiet act of regeneration. It demonstrates what’s possible when existing structures are not only respected but reimagined. The reuse of the Spode site has been a privilege, offering a way to honour Stoke-on-Trent’s industrial heritage while creating space for future enterprise.

Working with Dog & Bone on this project has only deepened our commitment to the city’s renewal. We’re proud to be part of the ongoing transformation of this landmark site and look forward to continuing the journey.

" Being involved in this project has really solidified our passion for the regeneration of Stoke-on-Trent and its industrial heritage. The opportunity to design a sympathetic reuse of parts of the Spode site has been an honour and we are looking forward to continuing to work with Dog & Bone to develop other parts of the site."

Kim Mountford, Project Lead