Arup Leeds: A Forward-Thinking Workplace for a Better World

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Arup’s new office at 11 & 12 Wellington Place, Leeds, delivers a progressive, low-carbon workplace designed to support long-term growth while placing sustainability, inclusivity and wellbeing at its core.

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The project was driven by Arup’s ambition to create an environment that reflects their values — embracing diversity, the circular economy and placemaking — while providing a flexible, future-ready solution for a growing workforce. The design approach focused on creating a workplace that supports different ways of working, encourages collaboration, and fosters a strong sense of ownership across the business.

 

Inclusive workplace design: A wide range of settings were introduced to support neurodiverse needs, including hyper and hypo spaces, quiet rooms, quiet desks and dimmable lighting to allow individuals to work in ways that suit them best.

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Neurodiversity-led environments: Dedicated retreat spaces, including a multifaith room for private reflection, provide respite from the main office environment, supporting focus, wellbeing and balance throughout the working day.

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Collaborative and activity-based settings: Flexible collaboration zones and informal meeting areas encourage teamwork, creativity and knowledge sharing across departments.

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Sustainability and circular economy: The design prioritised material reuse and low-carbon decision making, aligning closely with Arup’s environmental commitments.

 

Statement connecting staircase: A central timber staircase forms a strong placemaking feature, physically and visually linking the two floors. The reuse of the existing concrete slab as the staircase base ensured no material was wasted, reinforcing the circular economy strategy.

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Reuse-led furniture strategy: Approximately 60% of existing furniture was refurbished and reintegrated into the new workplace, reducing waste while maintaining quality, performance and aesthetic consistency.

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The Result:​

• A dynamic, low-carbon workplace supporting over 500 members of staff

• A highly inclusive office environment responding to diverse and neurodiverse needs

• Strong alignment between Arup’s values and the physical workplace experience

• A flexible, futureproof office designed to support continued growth

• A benchmark example of sustainable and circular-economy-led office design in Leeds

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