Reinventing the Workplace Through Retrofit and Placemaking
A Project By: Mohsin Cooper Architects
The Liphook Work-Life Hub reimagines an existing commercial estate as a contemporary destination where work, leisure and community are brought together within a landscape-led setting.
Developed as a concept for approximately 47,000 sq ft of office and leisure accommodation, the proposal embraces the principles of adaptive reuse, transforming under performing commercial buildings through refurbishment rather than replacement. Existing structures are re-clad and reconfigured to establish a clear architectural identity, extending their lifespan while improving both appearance and performance.
At the heart of the scheme is the creation of a campus-style environment where landscape plays an active role in shaping the user experience. Landscaped courtyards provide opportunities for outdoor working and informal collaboration, while a food and drink venue formed from repurposed shipping containers introduces a more relaxed and social character. An outdoor amphitheatre creates a focal point for events and gatherings, helping to foster a stronger sense of place.
The project reflects a broader shift in workplace design-away from isolated office buildings and towards flexible environments that prioritise wellbeing, interaction and experience. Through a combination of retrofit, placemaking and landscape design, the Liphook Work-Life Hub presents a vision for the future of commercial space-one designed around people as much as productivity.
