Blog Courtesy of Uncommon
Uncommon Holborn, winner of Best Workplace Retrofit Project of the Year at the Workspace Design Show Awards 2026, is a transformative redevelopment of a ten-storey building in London’s historic Holborn district. Delivering 105,000 sq ft of workspace for more than 2,000 members, the project rethinks the modern workplace through a strong focus on wellbeing, flexibility and sustainability.
Designed as a retrofit rather than a rebuild, the project responds to the growing need for adaptable and human-centred work environments while respecting the character of the existing structure. The brief centred around three key objectives: enhancing health and performance, creating long-term flexibility for evolving workstyles, and achieving ambitious sustainability goals through thoughtful design and operations.
Biophilic principles play a central role throughout the workplace. Natural light, extensive planting and outdoor connections are integrated across the building to support wellbeing, creativity and everyday comfort. The workspace includes more than 2,100 desks, private offices, meeting suites, breakout areas, wellness facilities, a rooftop terrace and sensory-friendly spaces designed to support a diverse community of users.
One of the project’s defining interventions was the transformation of the former basement car park into a dramatic central atrium illuminated by a 12m x 4m roof light. What was previously an underused and enclosed area has become a vibrant social hub filled with daylight, visual connectivity and informal collaboration spaces. A sculptural bronze stairwell connects the floors and reinforces the building’s sense of openness and movement.
The design balances warmth and functionality through a tactile material palette that combines natural timber, acoustic glass, soft textiles and integrated planting. Flexible planning underpins the entire project, with modular furniture, reconfigurable layouts and adaptable infrastructure allowing the space to evolve over time for hybrid working, events and future tenant requirements.
Wellbeing and inclusivity were embedded into the project from the outset. Step-free access, parenting and prayer rooms, wellness amenities and user-controlled environmental settings help create a workplace that supports a broad range of needs and experiences. Community initiatives, workshops and cultural programming further strengthen the building’s role beyond the workplace itself.
Sustainability ambitions were equally central to the retrofit strategy, with the project targeting BREEAM Excellent certification through energy-efficient systems, smart building technology and future-focused operational design.
Uncommon Holborn reflects a broader shift in workplace design — one where retrofit, wellbeing and adaptability are shaping the future of the office environment.
Photography courtesy of Taran Wilkhu.