Holmes Miller Office, 89 Minerva Street

Designed and developed in 1993 by Holmes as bespoke but adaptable offices this building has undergone evolutionary changes to reflect new business practices and increasing utilisation of ICT in the profession of architecture. The continued success of this compact building is due to the light touch employed in the design rationale, which is a hallmark of Holmes Miller’s approach to its work.
The open plan design studio on the first floor is expressed in the front elevation by full width glazing over a more solid base which contains entrance foyer, conference rooms and support facilities at GF level. A generous opening in the floor of the studio in line with a large rooflight provides bright daylight conditions for the admin team located on the ground floor as well as direct visual contact.
The open plan office space provides a ‘democracy of space’ underpinning important up-to-date business principles of openness and support, which have subsequently been employed in space planning undertaken for other clients.
The only break with orthodoxy in the design appears in the front wall which is aligned with OS north-south grid rather than set square on to the street and automatic external blinds help to control unwanted heat gain and glare.

Client

Holmes Miller

Location

Glasgow

Completed

1995

Cost

£0.35m