Our home city Birmingham has a rich architectural heritage. The old and new rub shoulders and offices can be found in a wide variety of different buildings, many of which were built for very different purposes. Old factories have been turned into contemporary office spaces; others can be found in modern purpose-built buildings.
Flow Office has been at the forefront of ensuring that Birmingham’s office spaces are fit-for purpose. As specialists in designing, creating and refurbishing office spaces and working environments, we love playing our part in reshaping Birmingham’s commercial environment.
In this blog, we would like to pay some homage to the wonderful architecture that you will find in the city. It’s where we live and work and we’re proud to be a part of it.
An incredible architectural heritage
The Commonwealth Games will bring the world’s attention to Birmingham. Visitors from across the world will be exploring the city for the first time. They will encounter an absorbing city with a fantastic architectural heritage, with layers of history combining to create an eclectic city that’s honours its past but is always looking to the future
Birmingham before the 19th century
Although the city developed rapidly during the Victorian era, Birmingham has a very long history. With origins as a Medieval town, Birmingham thrived but remnants of this can be hard to spot today. The half-beamed 15th-century Old Crown in Deritend is the city’s oldest secular building and is well worth a visit. A grander building from the 17th century is the Jacobean Aston Hall, which is now managed by Birmingham Museum Trust and is open to the public. This fabulous building is even more imposing than nearby Villa Park!
The Georgian era in the city was a period of church building, leaving a range of impressive churches across the city including St Thomas Church, Lee End. Also built during the same era were the Back-to-Back houses on Hurst Street. These were in occupation right up until the second half of the 20th century and are today owned by the National Trust where the public can enjoy a glimpse of life as it was once lived.
Birmingham City Council and Museum & Art Gallery on Victoria Square. UK 2018
A powerhouse of the industrial revolution
Birmingham was one of the cradles of the Industrial Revolution, powering a growing economy and a rapidly expanding city. It brought huge numbers of people into the city from the surrounding countryside and from further afield, including huge numbers from Ireland.
It also led to a huge building programme not only in factories and industrial workshops, many of which have now been repurposed into residential and modern commercial buildings, but also in grand public buildings.
The Town Hall, Curzon Street Railway Station and the Old Joint Stock Theatre are some of the best examples of the city’s 19th-century confidence.
Into the modern era
The 20th century saw war, rebuilding, decline and renaissance, as the city made itself fit for the 21st century. Bold and ambitious contemporary architecture such as Millennium Point, the new Library, Selfridges and The Cube builds on the city’s longstanding reputation for creativity.
A key part of the city’s redevelopment has been the repurposing of older buildings such as factories and warehouses into modern office and commercial spaces. These have provided space for the creators and entrepreneurs of the future as the city looks to build on its creative and commercial heritage.
At Flow Office, we’re passionate about Birmingham and its built environment. We work with clients to design the optimal office for their needs, driving up productivity and employee wellbeing, and helping companies to achieve their goals.
To find out more about office design services call 01922 453 488 or email sales@flowoffice.co.uk today.
To find out more about office design and furniture services, call 01922 453 488 or email sales@flowoffice.co.uk.