Seminar Components are the sole UK-based designer and lead the market in bespoke lift and reclining seating mechanisms. They had outgrown their current facilities, which were a series of small connected warehouses and wanted to build new premises that would allow them to restructure their operations, increase productivity, provide flexibility and be a beacon for industrial buildings in the region for both staff and clients.

Oxford Architects were approached by Tercon to assist with the feasibility, planning and construction of a new facility on the site of a former factory, closed and demolished in 1981.

The site masterplan aims to provide both a new facility to meet current and immediate needs as well as accommodate future flexibility to expand and increase floor footprint by 150%.

The new factory provides a single large volume that allows processes to adapt over the years and provides a clear process route for incoming raw material and outgoing goods. The office is split across two floors at the front of the building overlooking the entrance. Internal windows over the factory floor allow staff and R&D team a greater connection to the factory floor.

Within the factory, a single access route provides access to all processes with isolated floor slabs for specialist equipment. The noisy pressing process is contained by a series of hanging acoustic panels and walls in order to minimise reverberating sounds.