The IBRB

The Interdisciplinary Research Building at the University of Warwick provides a dynamic workplace designed to bring people together — fostering collaboration, creativity, and wellbeing. Conceived as a space where research, education, and enterprise converge, the interiors transform complex requirements into an adaptable, human-centred environment that supports a new culture of shared innovation.

Appointed as delivery interior design architects, our role was to develop and realise the conceptual design — translating the original vision into a fully resolved, buildable, and enduring interior. The result is a workplace that combines technical precision with spatial warmth, supporting both focus and collaboration.

At the heart of the building lies a generous central atrium — a bright, uplifting space that connects people and activity across every level. Circulation routes are designed to encourage movement and encounter, while visual transparency reinforces openness and inclusion. Flexible zones for meeting, collaboration, and social interaction are interwoven with quiet spaces for concentration, creating an environment that responds naturally to different working styles.

The interior palette is calm and refined: natural materials, timber detailing, and neutral tones create a welcoming, timeless backdrop. Carefully integrated lighting, acoustic comfort, and intuitive wayfinding all contribute to a sense of ease and belonging.

The building’s interiors were designed with adaptability at their core. Flexible layouts, modular furniture, and reconfigurable spaces allow the workplace to evolve alongside new research directions and working patterns. This future-ready approach ensures long-term value, minimising the need for major changes while maintaining a fresh, functional environment.

The interior experience promotes wellbeing and belonging — encouraging collaboration not through open-plan density, but through choice and connection. People can gather, pause, or retreat as needed, with the building responding naturally to different working styles and rhythms.

The building has transformed how people work and collaborate on campus. It offers a new model for a research-driven workplace — one that blends social interaction with focus, transparency with privacy, and energy with calm.

By creating shared, flexible environments and fostering a sense of community, the building supports collaboration across departments and disciplines, breaking down silos and sparking new ideas. It also provides a welcoming interface for visitors and partners, positioning Warwick as a place where innovation is cultivated through connection.

High levels of natural light reduce the reliance on artificial lighting, while the building’s envelope and systems prioritise energy efficiency and thermal comfort. Materials were selected for low environmental impact and long-term performance, promoting responsible use of resources and ensuring the building’s longevity.

The building’s flexible infrastructure further enhances its sustainability — allowing spaces to be reconfigured easily as needs evolve, extending the interior’s lifecycle and reducing waste. The result is an environment that not only performs efficiently but also inspires those who use it every day.