Xsite Architecture and Studio KIND / Opencast HQ, Newcastle

4 April 2023

Xsite Architecture and Studio KIND / Opencast HQ, Newcastle

Opencast’s cutting-edge HQ in the heart of Newcastle, has been designed to facilitate conversation, collaboration and agile working practices.

Words By Emily Martin

Images By Jill Tate

Project Info

Architect: Xsite Architecture www.xsitearchitecture.co.uk

Interior designer: Studio KIND www.studiokind.co.uk

Client: Opencast

Completion date: March 2022

Size: 735 sq m

TECH CONSULTANCY Opencast is a fastgrowing, independent technology consultancy working at the heart of government, global finance and growth enterprise. It specialises in designing, building, and running user-centred digital and technology solutions with purpose. Having gone through a period of growth over the last 12 months – and its new Newcastle headquarters has been a key part of its expansion.

From when you enter the building, the colour palette takes visitors and employees on a journey, and includes places for people to perch by themselves or to congregate collaboratively with others

Its office at The Kiln in Hoults Yard, located in Byker, has been converted into the company’s new cutting-edge HQ by Xsite Architecture and Studio KIND. The new space opened last year, as well as new city hubs in London, Leeds and Edinburgh in the same year.

From when you enter the building, the colour palette takes visitors and employees on a journey, and includes places for people to perch by themselves or to congregate collaboratively with others

Adrian Philpotts, lead architect on the project for Newcastle-based Xsite, says: ‘Right at the heart of the project was really understanding the needs of all staff. We did this in in collaboration with Opencast through a series of research and focus groups to understand how each team worked, as well as their collective needs and priorities.’

The resulting design scheme is an environment that encourages and supports conversation, collaboration and agile working. Walk into the office and you are met with an inviting, comfortable and tactile space that appeals to the senses.’

From when you enter the building, the colour palette takes visitors and employees on a journey, and includes places for people to perch by themselves or to congregate collaboratively with others

The project’s interior designer, Karen Nairstone at Studio KIND, explains: ‘The social spaces in the Opencast HQ from reception to the kitchen and events space have a coffee bar and hospitality feel with textured materials, scalloped wood walls and large reclaimed farmhouse tables adding personality and interest. These spaces, with natural materials, provide a balanced contrast to the industrial services visible at ceiling height.

From when you enter the building, the colour palette takes visitors and employees on a journey, and includes places for people to perch by themselves or to congregate collaboratively with others

She adds: ‘Collaborative spaces include four-person studies inspired by coffee shops with playful glazed fronts, and cabins for up to 10 people inspired by agile working practice and ceremonies, and Japanese teahouses, with gridded fronts and sliding screens.’

Some of the aesthetic of the office has been designed with Japanese concepts in mind, enabling partitioning or opening of spaces.

The colour palette and layout of the office has been designed to create interest and a sense of a journey as you move through the space. There is alcove seating, perch points, private booths and café-style spaces adding visual interest within the layout.

Nairsrtone adds: ‘A considered colour palette gives visual reference to each environment with cooler colours used for more focused workspaces, and warmer colours encouraging conversation and collaboration. These colour-blocked spaces are interspersed with a commissioned series of bold artworks by local artist Josie Brookes.’

The kitchen area has been executed with hospitality settings in mind

A key part of the design strategy was to work with the local creative community: bespoke furniture by Deadgood, fabrics by David Irwin for Bute, and ceramics by Victoria Brook are companies sited within Byker’s Ouseburn valley. The design scheme created by Xsite Architecture and Studio KIND design has provided Opencast a home for to collaborate and socialise and aligning with the ‘Opencast way of doing things’.

Some of the aesthetic of the office has been designed with Japanese concepts in mind, enabling partitioning or opening of spaces.