Orchard-Branchworks: A biophilic civic workplace that blends nature, community, and sustainable design.
Orchard-Branchworks is a transformative office and civic proposal located in the heart of Crewe, on the site of the former Royal Arcade. It reimagines the traditional workplace as a community-centered, biophilic environment where nature, work, and public life intersect. The design draws inspiration from branching natural systems, featuring sculpted volumes, rooftop gardens, and permeable courtyards that enhance daylight, ventilation, and connectivity. Publicly accessible spaces such as amphitheaters, cafés, and market plazas activate the ground floor, while upper levels host adaptable workspaces linked through green terraces and open staircases. The project integrates sustainable systems, including building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) panels and the use of iron ore tailings as a substitute aggregate in concrete.
The building becomes a daily setting for rituals—storytelling, wellness, markets, and collaboration—where freelancers, families, and students share space under one roof. Architecture becomes infrastructure for community care, learning, and ecological consciousness. In doing so, Orchard-Branchworks sets a precedent for future-ready urban development—climate-responsive, socially inclusive, and deeply rooted in place. It is not just for Crewe, but of Crewe.
