Heritage refurbishment of two factories within the Hat District Cultural Quarter into creative co-work spaces: Hat House (1,200m2) & Hat Works (440m2). Both buildings sit within conservation areas and have challenging programmes and complex funding streams (NHLF, HE & SEMLEP). Both schemes involve historic refurbishments stitched together with new build elements with complex interlocking uses: Hat House is an imposing 5 storey Edwardian building which has been transformed into a hub for retail and creative workspaces. The design adopts a sensitive approach to the building, retaining and enhancing its original features, while vastly improving user comfort, sustainability and daylight. Hat Works (Grade II listed) is welcoming ‘entrance’ to the Hat District with a gallery & events space and smaller workspaces with subsidised rents for local start ups on the upper floors. A new atrium at the heart of the building provides a social space for members and forms the new compliant circulation core within the listed building. The buildings former use fabricating straw hats is referenced through the new glazed atrium which uses woven pattern, also featured in the Hat District branding.