PROJECT INFO

Location: Uxbridge, UK
Completion Date: 2021
Project Type: Corporate Workplace and Laboratory
Size: 10,000 sq ft / ~930 sq m
Scope of Work: Crux Design Studio was appointed to design Intellian’s new UK headquarters—a hybrid workplace and technical lab—within a deep-plan building that offered minimal access to natural light. The project became a case study in applying research-led design to enhance wellbeing and performance in challenging architectural conditions.


INTELLIAN

When Intellian, a leading global satellite communications company, established its UK office in Uxbridge, they selected a space with significant daylight limitations. Crux responded with a design grounded in academic principles of daylight simulation and spatial sequencing, building on expertise developed in collaboration with MIT specialists. The workplace needed to support focused engineering work, showcase satellite testing capabilities, and uplift the everyday experience of employees working in a light-deficient building.

This project marked a shift in Crux’s approach—from design-first to research-led—blending technical analysis with creative execution to produce a workplace that feels naturally lit, intuitively zoned, and highly functional

Design Concept

Crux applied strategies from daylighting studies to manipulate lux levels and spatial orientation in a way that enhanced the perception of natural light. Enclosed meeting rooms and offices were deliberately positioned in the deepest, darkest parts of the floor plan, while key activity zones were anchored to glazed perimeter walls to maximize available daylight.

Fixed desks were placed along the brighter glazed elevation, while breakout areas, including a kitchen and casual seating zones, were aligned with the wall that offered direct access to a balcony—allowing teams to naturally migrate throughout the day toward brighter, more energizing spaces. This quiet encouragement of movement helped support alertness and wellbeing without needing to rely on non-traditional furniture or activity prompts.

Faux skylighting and reflective finishes were used to lift the darkest corners of the plan, while transitions between zones were softened with thoughtful material selections and subtle lighting changes that emulated the feel of light variation found in naturally lit environments.

Challenges & Solutions

A major challenge was the need to locate the satellite testing laboratory in the front corner of the office—the area with the best access to natural light—because it was the only position that could maintain a direct connection to atmospheric satellites. This constrained the layout and required creative problem-solving to balance technical needs with human experience.

Crux responded by assigning the next brightest area to open-plan desks and pulling meeting rooms into the center of the floor plan to avoid blocking light paths. Executive offices were placed in the darkest area and then enhanced with artificial lighting and visual openness to maintain a sense of energy. The tea point was located next to the outdoor testing area to create a place for staff and visitors to observe the satellite array and gain valuable exposure to real daylight in an otherwise enclosed space.

Final Outcome

The completed office is one of Crux’s most referenced projects—frequently requested by clients in the same building who are eager to replicate the clarity, lightness, and intelligence of the design. This project signaled a turning point in Crux’s design philosophy, bringing academic research into the heart of workplace strategy.

The delivery phase was handled by a skilled construction team that worked in close alignment with Crux’s intent, overcoming the building’s constraints while preserving the integrity of the original design vision.

Key Features

  • Research-Led Design – Applied academic principles of daylight simulation and spatial planning.
  • Natural Light Maximization – Glazed perimeters used strategically for desks and shared zones.
  • Faux Skylighting – Enhanced darkest areas with synthetic light and reflective detailing.
  • Programmatic Zoning – Enclosed spaces pulled inward to protect daylight for active zones.
  • Satellite Laboratory Integration – Accommodated strict testing requirements without compromising the plan.
  • Balcony and Tea Point Strategy – Located at the exterior to connect staff and visitors with outdoor activity and light.
  • Long-Term Appeal – Frequently cited by others in the building as a best-practice interior.
  • Cohesive Delivery – Executed by a contractor team that fully respected the design ambitions.