Arclight, at 60 Short’s Garden, is the CAT A+ transformation of the second floor within the landmark Victorian building in Covent Garden. Span Group Ltd’s brief was to create a space that reinforces Arclight’s status as a premium asset. By working with a retained CAT A shell, the project demonstrates how thoughtful architectural intervention can elevate a base build into a characterful, high-performing workplace.

A Market-Ready CAT A+ Offering

This project at Arclight repositions what CAT A+ can mean. Instead of defaulting to a generic finishes palette, it demonstrates how thoughtful architectural decisions can create character within commercial constraints. It shows that flexibility, acoustic comfort and collaboration can be achieved without compromising clarity.
The result is a workplace that performs efficiently at both macro and micro scales, supporting day-to-day operations while being intuitive and resilient over time. The success of functionality has reinforced the strategy for other floors in the building, guiding future iterations. 

The project’s performance has also been validated by the client. Span Group Ltd have commissioned Thirdway to replicate the Arclight design on the first floor (currently in progress) and is considering our team for the third floor, reflecting their confidence in the design’s ability to secure tenants and deliver consistent commercial success.

Design Grounded in Function

Arclight’s success is rooted in a design that prioritises intuitive functionality for commercial use. From initial entry, the spatial strategy communicates purpose: the arrival space is open and clearly defined, giving immediate orientation, while primary circulation routes are direct and uninterrupted, supporting effortless movement across the floorplate.

Strategic use of glazing maintains long sightlines, allowing users to immediately understand the organisation and depth of the space, while transitions between collaborative and focused work areas are signalled through thoughtful changes in lighting and ceiling treatments rather than excessive signage. This design language reinforces spatial logic and enhances user comfort without visual clutter.
Each workspace type is clearly identifiable and tailored to its function, with central open plan desks supporting teamwork and interaction, while framed yet transparent meeting rooms balance privacy with connectivity, and contained library-style areas provide controlled focus zones. These distinctions work subtly but effectively in ensuring that the space supports a range of work modes, from individual concentration to collaboration, without feeling disjointed.

In an era where workplaces must accommodate hybrid working and constant change, Arclight’s floor plan supports flexibility without losing coherence. Users can move between different modes of work while maintaining a clear sense of place and purpose.

Architecture as the Foundation

The starting point for this space was the building itself, which already had a strong architectural and industrial presence. The intent was to respond to this CAT A shell while strengthening it through contemporary design. Exposed brick, steel structure and generous glazing provide texture, proportion and daylight. Rather than competing with these elements, the interior works alongside them to create a cohesive workplace. With a warm and controlled material palette, the interior choices balance the industrial shell. For example, timber introduces tactility and warmth, while muted tones and black metal details reinforce continuity with the structure and sash windows. 
The design is underpinned by a focused and deliberate furniture selection that reinforces durability, robust but refined, aligning with the building’s character. Nothing feels excessive; each piece serves both an aesthetic and functional purpose.
The design responds directly to evolving workplace expectations by balancing openness with acoustic control, collaboration with focus, and industrial character with comfort. Through controlled materiality and disciplined detailing, the overall experience is calm, cohesive and confidently architectural.