Venture House

A dynamic enterprise hub in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, designed to energise the local market.

Stratford-upon-Avon District Council appointed Squaredot to transform a disused council owned facility, Venture House, into a fresh new, energetic hub. This refreshed building would become a co-working location, serving the small local businesses and start-ups of the area and providing a modern take on co-working spaces.

The Council were hoping for an environment that would inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs, and offer support to existing small and micro enterprises in the local community. The unique location of this space, nestled in between mechanics, car dealerships, and hardware stores, is unconventional for an office building. It was an important part of the project to show that you don’t have to be paying for space on a high street or at an overpriced business park, and that a thriving, aesthetically pleasing office can be located almost anywhere! 

Squaredot were able to deliver exactly what the Council were looking fot through intelligent and creative design choices. The building was completely repurposed to encourage interaction and a collaborative spirit throughout Venture House and, as per the Councils requirements, this was done using simple, cost-effective materials inside and out. Venture House now offers a variety of spaces and settings to work in, accommodating individuals and small teams in both open and private areas. The mixture of facilities were created to support four key workstyles: concentration, collaboration, socialisation and education, so any budding entrepreneurs, growing startups or innovative SME’s can work in an environment suited to their exact needs.

Using innovative space solutions, Squaredot was able to meet the Councils brief and produce an inspirational workplace that would attract the types of business Stratford-upon-Avon was looking for to further encourage growth and innovation in the historic town. Venture House has reached its potential of being a dynamic enterprise hub, encouraging incubation and innovation, and energising the local market from unconventional premises. It is intended to provide a template for other similar facilities within the district, cultivating new business development particularly in locations with higher levels of deprivation and unemployment.