Perched on the 13th floor of Chancery Place in Manchester’s financial district, Overbury’s new 638 m² office is more than a workspace, it’s a spatial narrative of identity, innovation, and intent. Commissioned by Overbury, a UK leader in fit-out and part of Morgan Sindall Group PLC, the brief called for a human-centric office that could embody brand values while showcasing future-facing design.
SpaceInvader, Manchester-based interior architects, responded with a concept rooted in connection, linking people, place, nature, and brand. This idea shaped every detail, from layout to lighting.
“The space had to act as a three-dimensional brand statement,” explains SpaceInvader Founder John Williams. “It needed to be intuitive, inspiring, and immediately recognisable as Overbury.”
Innovation is exemplified in the nautilus shell ceiling feature, located above the welcome area. The ceiling is cut in a spiralling shell shape, painted in dark tones to create contrast and drama. Suspended within is a sculptural lighting and acoustic baffle system, with soft, layered fins that trace the shell’s curvature. At its centre, a polished metallic disc, Hompal by Formica, anchors the design, its iridescent quality evoking the pearlescent shell interior.
The office follows an activity-based working model, with modular, reconfigurable zones for deep focus, informal meetings, and collaborative work. Furniture flexibility and plug-and-play tech support a hybrid workforce, while smart systems manage lighting, air quality, bookings, and energy use, ensuring the environment adapts to users.
Functionality is intuitive and layered. A sculptural reception table and Corian coffee bar set a hospitality-first tone. Pathways are defined by floor and ceiling cues that guide users through boardrooms, a design studio, a town-hall style kitchen, and breakout spaces. Acoustic phone booths and wellness-focused rooms support quiet and recovery.
Creativity is grounded in place and materiality. Industrial references, exposed red brick, concrete-effect flooring, terracotta accents, are softened by curved forms and biomorphic lighting. Acoustic panels in the boardroom abstract the nautilus shape in deep red felt, turning technical performance into brand storytelling.
Sustainability underpins every decision. The project is SKA Gold-targeted, using FSC-certified timber, low-VOC finishes, reused base-build elements, and UK-sourced circular furniture. Energy strategies include 100% LED lighting, zoned controls, and behaviour-shaping dashboards.
Eco-social impact is embedded in the layout. Dedicated rooms for wellness, prayer, parenting, and neurodivergent needs reflect an inclusive ethos. The project also acts as a learning platform, with Overbury applying lessons from this space across future client schemes.
This is a workplace that doesn’t just support productivity, it catalyses it. Intelligent, inclusive, and visually iconic, it sets a new benchmark for UK commercial interiors.
Overbury, Chancery Place
SpaceInvader
Bronze

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Designer
Client
Overbury
Floor area
640 ㎡
Completion
2025
Furniture
Lighting
Furniture
Furniture
Furniture
Furniture
Furniture
Finishes
Finishes
Finishes
Finishes
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