Ideas
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Project
Medical Protection Society
An optimised, people-first workplace with new space for tenants
Leeds
70,000
sqft
Office Space
Outcomes
Challenge
People
Improved communication, pride, enjoyment, well-being and the ability to share ideas.
Insight
Place
Substantial savings in occupancy costs, increased the building’s asset value and released 40,000 sq ft for leasing.
Solution
Planet
Achieved an EPC Rating B and BREEAM Excellent award.
Improved communication, pride, enjoyment, well-being and the ability to share ideas.
Substantial savings in occupancy costs, increased the building’s asset value and released 40,000 sq ft for leasing.
Achieved an EPC Rating B and BREEAM Excellent award.
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As the world’s leading member-owned protection organisation for healthcare professionals, Medical Protection Society (MPS) embraces a digital-first, hybrid work model. However, these shifting work practices and a growing emphasis on online service delivery meant their traditional office setup no longer met their evolving needs.
We partnered with MPS to rightsize their office footprint and create a modern, agile workplace for employees and members, while making room for new tenants.
Adapting to change
MPS occupied a 70,000 sq ft building at Victoria House, Leeds, but because office attendance patterns have shifted post-COVID, much of the space was underused. Having worked with MPS for 15 years, including earlier fit-outs in Leeds and London, we partnered to re-evaluate their spatial needs, replace their outdated M&E system, realise their sublet potential, and create a flexible environment for better employee and member experiences.
Through hands-on workshops and data-driven analysis, we identified that MPS could operate effectively within 35,000 sq ft – and we could transform the remaining 40,000 sq ft into a revenue-generating, sublet-ready asset.
Built around people
Functionality is at the heart of the design, with activity-based settings tailored to the business’s needs and work styles.
- The ground floor, shared with tenants, now includes a communal business lounge, a meeting suite, bike storage, showers and a work café.
- The first and third floors cater to focused work, with soundproof pods, social nooks for informal meetings and mixed meeting rooms fitted with high-spec technology to streamline remote collaboration.
- The second floor offers tranquil retreat spaces where employees can unwind, as well as a high-energy social area designed to feel more like a coffee shop or bar than a traditional workplace. A coffee bar island, a shuffleboard, and casual seating encourage interaction, breaking down formal barriers and strengthening community.
A workplace that feels like home
This project was about creating a home for MPS – a workplace that feels welcoming, calm and comfortable. Designed with a hospitality-inspired approach, it balances warmth and functionality while staying true to Leeds’s architectural heritage.
The palette of soft, calming tones is complemented by rich inky blues that subtly reference the MPS brand. Natural light floods the space, while biophilic elements such as wood, stone and greenery create a soothing environment that promotes well-being.
Inclusivity was a guiding principle throughout. The workspace is designed to support a diverse range of needs, with flexible settings and furniture, enhanced acoustics, and adjustable heating and cooling. The fixtures make the space accessible to wheelchair users and the variety of textures and sensory-friendly materials offer an inviting space for all.
Although MPS takes great pride in their history, much of their archival material had been hidden in storage. To honour their heritage, we placed bespoke shelving displays in social areas. This subtle yet meaningful addition connects past with present, instilling renewed pride in the organisation’s legacy.
“Wow! What more can I say! I am beyond proud of our amazing new workplace in Leeds… A project of this scale and size requires the best of teams, and this one certainly did. Thank you to the workplace project team, who have worked tirelessly to deliver this amazing project ahead of time and to such a high quality.”
– Lucy Thompson, Head of Corporate Services at Medical Protection Society
Designed to adapt
The flexible leasing arrangements accommodate the ebb and flow of office occupancy, ensuring the office remains economical and fit for purpose in the long term. MPS can scale the space using a bespoke booking system to reserve areas on demand. This new technology also provides data-driven insights for optimisation so the office can evolve with changing needs.
On quieter days, underused areas can host external meetings or serve as pop-up social hubs. We integrated modular furniture, adaptable workstations and freestanding structures so that spaces can be reconfigured quickly.
Better for the planet
Sustainability was embedded into every decision, from upgrading the building fabric with energy-efficient glazing to removing outdated gas systems, integrating energy-efficient lighting and selecting eco-friendly materials. These changes have significantly reduced operational costs and environmental impact while increasing the building’s asset value. The building now holds an EPC Rating B and a BREEAM Excellent award, reinforcing MPS’s commitment to a greener future.
A bold transformation for the future
MPS now operates from an inclusive, people-centred campus where collaboration and well-being take priority. Beyond the cultural shift, the financial impact is substantial. By consolidating operations into a 35,000 sq ft footprint, MPS is able to achieve significant annual savings in occupancy costs. At the same time, the additional space has been transformed into a revenue-generating asset – turning an underused building into a strategic investment for the future.
With a workplace designed to flex and evolve, a stronger sense of community, and a future-proofed real estate strategy, MPS has streamlined their operations, boosted employee morale and secured a more sustainable, financially resilient asset for years to come.
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