This showroom needed to do two jobs well: display over 400 brick types and provide practical places for architects to work. Consultation rooms, open benches for drawing reviews and a durable reception counter all had to sit comfortably within a listed mill setting. RED developed the furniture around daily handling, integrated power and clear cable management.
The brief
The brief was practical from the start. The showroom needed to support one-to-one consultations, group reviews and regular sample handling without clutter or unnecessary wear. Surfaces had to include integrated power and tidy cable routes so laptops and devices could run throughout the day.
The setting also mattered. Finishes had to work with the listed mill rather than compete with it, so material choices were developed to complement the exposed brick and structural columns already on site.
Our approach
Consultation benches were engineered with welded steel frames and wide, uncluttered tops to support drawing reviews and daily laptop use. Power modules, cable routes and device positions were coordinated so the furniture could support regular working use without trailing leads getting in the way.
Meeting tables were scaled for group work and fitted with under-deck cable troughs. The reception counter was built for frequent interactions, with durable edges, protected corners and high-duty runners to cope with regular sample handling. Drawer internals were configured for heavier items and clearances were set to avoid snags in use.
Material choices were developed against the building context. Powder-coated steel and timber were selected to sit comfortably alongside the mill’s exposed brick and columns. Critical junctions and hardware actions were prototyped for sign-off before manufacture.
Materials and build details
The core palette combines powder-coated steel and timber, chosen to match the character of the listed mill while still supporting commercial durability. Welded steel frames provide strength at the consultation benches, while the meeting tables and reception counter are detailed to support integrated services and repeated daily use.
The reception counter uses protected corners, durable edges and heavy-duty storage internals to support sample handling. Under-deck cable troughs and coordinated power routes keep meeting and consultation surfaces clearer and easier to use.
Installation and logistics
The project was delivered within a live heritage building, with concurrent works taking place at the same time. Sandblasting was underway to expose the original arches, so deliveries were sequenced around those works to reduce clashes on site.
Site time was reduced by pre-assembling frames before delivery, then fitting tops and fascias in situ. That kept the installation more practical for the conditions inside the listed mill.
Results and lifecycle value
The finished showroom supports both sides of the brief: large-scale brick display and practical architect consultation. It provides consultation rooms, open review benches and meeting tables designed for regular use, with integrated power and cable management built into the furniture rather than added as an afterthought.
The lifecycle story is clear. Frames are designed for long service life, while tops and fascias are screw-fixed for replacement. Wear parts can be swapped without disturbing the main frames, and like-for-like spares are available if needed. That supports easier maintenance and extends service life over time.
Planning a new showroom, consultation space or reception area? Speak to the team about manufacture for your next project.
