Aire Park
Aire Park
Set within one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, Aire Park is reshaping Leeds’ South Bank with over 1 million sq ft of new office, retail, and leisure space alongside a landmark 8-acre city park.
At its heart sits the refurbishment of 1 & 3 South Brook Street. Two former warehouse buildings thoughtfully reimagined as part of this news, dynamic development.
Working alongside Turnerbates Design & Architecture, we supplied bespoke wall panels to form the centrepiece of the buildings’ new atrium. A light, open aesthetic space combining heritage with contemporary design.
The Design Vision
The transformation of 1 & 3 South Brook Street is a key component of the wider Aire Park masterplan, designed to reconnect the city through modern architecture by paying homage to its industrial legacy.
Turnerbates’ vision centred around celebrating the character of the original warehouse buildings while integrating a refined, modern identity. An elegant atrium was introduced to maximise natural light and provide a welcoming area for visitors.
Project Challenges
The atrium’s complex geometry presented several fabrication and installation challenges:
Precision Fabrication: The design featured angled surfaces, intersecting planes, and recessed reveals. This required custom panel sizing and tight manufacturing tolerances to ensure seamless alignment across multiple elevations.
Managing Reflectivity: Highly polished surfaces are aesthetically pleasing, however, they can sometimes create unwanted glare. We supplied samples and advice to ensure the chosen finish balanced reflectively and comfort.
Logistical Coordination: With the atrium located at the centre of the building, delivering and hoisting large stainless-steel panels required careful planning to ensure safe access routes.
Thermal Movement: The scale of the panelled area meant that expansion gaps and mounting systems needed to account for thermal expansion while remaining discreet.
Adding Water Ripple
Stainless steel was chosen for this project for its ability to capture and reflect daylight, creating visual effects that complement the atrium’s height and natural illumination.
The polished super-mirror water-ripple panels against the aged brickwork and timber elements nod to the history of the area, combined with modern, polished embossed metal sheets that add elegance.
The project showcases how precision fabrication and material expertise can enhance architectural ambition, meet stringent technical and aesthetic goals within a complex refurbishment context.
