The Herman Miller Factory is a Grade II former factory built in 1976-7 for the American furniture company Herman Miller Inc. Sited on Locksbrook Road, the building was vacant from around 2012 and was acquired by Bath Spa University. The building now forms part of the new, city-based Locksbrook Campus which formally opened in 2020. The building has been awarded the ‘Overall Winner’, ‘Education Winner’ and ‘Sustainability Winner’ categories at the Schüco Excellence Awards 2023, recognising the innovative and energy efficient adaptation and reuse of a listed building.
2017 – Pre-Application Engagement & Application for Material Alterations to the Building
BPT engaged at pre-application stage on proposed material alterations to the building in 2017. We maintained our support to the reuse of the building and welcomed opportunities for public access, such as an art shop and café. However, we had some concerns regarding the proposed ‘pavilion.
Read our 2017 consultation response here.
Application 17/02034/LBA was then submitted for the proposed alterations to the former factory building. Proposals included the addition of a pavilion structure on top of the existing flat roof of the building. Whilst BPT originally indicated some concerns with the design approach, we acknowledged the substantial public and conservation benefits of bringing the building back into use, and concluded that this would outweigh harm to the building.
Read our response to the 2017 application here. This application was subsequently granted listed building consent.
2015 – Proposals for Redevelopment of Grade II Building
Application 15/04810/FUL was submitted in 2015 to convert the building into further educational space as part of Bath Spa University.
BPT supported the opportunity to bring the building back into a sustainable reuse. We noted that no industrial offers had come forward for the building. It was felt that the proposed use of the building to provide technical studios for use by the University would be compatible with the building’s original designed use.
Read our response to the 2015 application here.