A stylish modern office kitchen with a long island counter, bar stools and overhead lighting. A vertical garden wall on the left displays neon text reading "Welcome to the Orchard." Wall mounted cabinets and clean finishes complete the inviting, contemporary workspace. A modern open-plan office with a long wooden table and orange chairs in the foreground, surrounded by hanging plants. Sofas and individual chairs create varied seating zones in the background. Exposed ductwork and lighting fixtures on the ceiling contribute to the contemporary, functional design. A modern office lounge with exposed brick and white walls, featuring a long teal upholstered bench paired with small white tables and green chairs. The ceiling includes exposed ductwork and circular cutouts, adding a contemporary touch. A secondary seating area with beige upholstery is visible in the background. A contemporary open plan office with a round table and four chairs near large windows that fill the space with natural light. Exposed ductwork and lighting fixtures line the ceiling, while semi transparent curtains and a curved partition wall subtly divide zones. The layout is spacious and modern. A modern conference room with two large rectangular tables, surrounded by black chairs. The space features a grey and white palette with carpeted flooring, recessed lighting and exposed ductwork. Two wall mounted screens and a movable partition wall add flexibility to the industrial style design.
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Home Case studies Cambridge University Press & Assessment

A hybrid hub with serious pull

Cambridge University Press & Assessment’s new workplace in Coventry blends flexibility with subtle storytelling, to create a hybrid workspace that draws people in.

Project partners

  • Savills
“It’s been a very positive, engaging and collaborative experience. It’s probably one of the best fit out projects I have ever been involved in.”

Chris Spratt, Cambridge University Press & Assessment

Key features

  • Hybrid ready layout
  • Warm industrial aesthetic
  • Acoustic zoning
  • SKA Gold rating

Cambridge University Press & Assessment (CUP&A) appointed Overbury to design and deliver a new workspace that would support a smooth transition into hybrid working.

We undertook a workplace consultancy programme at their previous location, which made it clear that the 48,000 sq ft space no longer suited the organisation’s evolving needs. Following this, CUP&A relocated to a more purposeful 15,000 sq ft on the fourth floor of the Bourn building in central Coventry that needed to support collaboration and allow employees to work flexibly across a range of settings.

Balancing legacy, light and layout

To meet CUP&A’s requirements, our design team created a space that’s functional, full of character and achieved a SKA Gold rating. The overall concept combines warm, welcoming finishes with an industrial edge to seamlessly align with the Bourn building’s existing exposed soffits and services.

The floorplate is arranged with desks positioned around the perimeter to pair focused work with maximum natural light, while the heart of the space is dedicated to collaboration zones. This zoning ensures teams can work together without disrupting quieter areas. Feature acoustic ceilings play a key role in the design, offering both a visual focal point and effective sound control. All AV and furniture were also delivered by Overbury, helping to ensure a seamless handover.

The Orchard, a central breakout and teapoint area, features a mock apple tree as a nod to Sir Isaac Newton, who formulated his theory of gravity whilst studying at Cambridge University. Other features include a business lounge, a series of enclosed meeting rooms, agile working settings and a ‘lookout lounge’ – an informal space with sweeping views across Coventry’s skyline, designed to offer an escape from the main floor and a chance to pause.

Standout space with historic touch

The final space reflects a modern way of working, built with flexibility at its core. It demonstrates how a reduced footprint can still deliver impact, and provides CUP&A with a strong foundation for their hybrid future.

  • Coventry
  • 15,000 sq ft
  • 13 weeks
  • SKA Gold

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