Brighton is often ranked as one of the UK’s best places to start a business, but lags when it comes to scaling up those start-ups. To tackle this, a purpose-built innovation hub has been developed through a unique collaboration between developer U+I, operator Plus X and architect Studio Egret West to provide the bespoke workspace, workshops, technology and wrap around innovation support needed to help Brighton businesses grow and thrive. As the first building to complete as part of U+I’s wider Preston Barracks development – Brighton’s largest regeneration scheme, being delivered in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council and University of Brighton – the 7-storey 53,000 sq ft innovation hub is also a catalyst for the wider development, attracting talent and footfall and helping the ongoing transformation of an unloved part of the city. Unlike most mainstream flexible workspaces, Plus X Brighton was purpose built, designed from the outset with the end user in mind. During early conversations about the wider masterplan, site analysis revealed the need for an anchor building to provide a transition between student learning and the evolution into business. The result is a state-of-the-art building designed as an innovation ecosystem, with start-up and accelerator space on the ground floor, ‘move on space’ to allow businesses to grow but stay within the building on the mid-levels, and then a curated set of larger corporates on the upper floors that will both collaborate with and benefit from the innovators and inventors in the building. The building accommodates over 550 individuals and includes flexible work spaces of varying sizes. At its heart is a co-working space with hot desks and conference spaces, as well as state-of-the-art facilities including digital studios and prototyping labs. Distributed over the floors above the co-working space is more traditional office space. Other facilities include Brighton’s first rooftop terrace, which is designed to enhance biodiversity and offer occupiers an additional social space. Plus X Brighton has been designed to be flexible and reactive to member demand and changes in the market. The floor plates from ground to second floors are split into two halves, allowing businesses to grow and evolve within the building. This also creates an impressive triple height atrium linked by a series of unfolding bridges and stairs, encouraging users to circulate throughout the building and find moments of interaction and inspiration. Adopting a contemporary and layered aesthetic that reflects the dynamic nature of Plus X Brighton, the bright and open yellow façade hints to the open exchange of knowledge and vibrant activity of the spaces inside. Drawing in the materiality of the building’s façade, the key circulation space is also clad in yellow aluminium, pared down with the use of warm birch-ply clad meeting boxes and panelling. These hanging meeting boxes provide a dynamic backdrop to the ground level seating, café and flexible event space, which together form a key interface between the public and working areas within the building. Throughout the scheme, the fixtures, fittings and foliage have been carefully curated to create a relaxed, collaborative atmosphere, where ideas can be exchanged and innovation can flourish. Designed to be one of the healthiest workplaces in the country, the building will be one of only a handful of buildings accredited the highest Platinum standard by the International WELL Building Institute. Air quality is monitored, with a biophilia strategy incorporating plenty of greenery. Targeting BREEAM Excellent, the designs for building adopt circular economy principles, green electricity and a zero-to-landfill policy.