Evolve Business Communities – Colchester, Milton Keynes & Watford
Bowman Riley worked with Galliard Group to develop its Evolve concept across three locations, creating flexible, contemporary workspace for small and growing businesses. From the original 95-unit scheme in Colchester to a topographically challenging new-build in Milton Keynes and the expansion of an established business park in Watford, each project has evolved the concept to respond to its unique context.
Colchester | Establishing the Evolve concept
The original Evolve scheme in Colchester established the concept: flexible, affordable workspace combined with lifestyle facilities to create more than simply a place to work.
Bowman Riley acted as project architect and interior designer, designing 90 small business units and five standalone offices. The flexible accommodation supports a range of uses, from start-ups and offices to storage and manufacturing.
The scheme established the architectural and community principles that would inform the subsequent Evolve projects.
Milton Keynes | Evolving the model
Following the success of Colchester, Bowman Riley was commissioned to deliver the designs for Evolve Milton Keynes at Woodlands Business Park.
The steeply sloping site presented a significant design challenge. Rather than working against the topography, the scheme embraces it, arranging 28 mixed-size units across five storeys.
A contemporary architectural approach, green roof and retained woodland buffer create a more refined evolution of the Evolve concept, while prominent corner features and lifestyle facilities strengthen the development’s identity.
Watford | Maximising an existing site
At Watford, the Evolve concept was applied to an established business park, increasing the number of commercial units from 21 to 37.
A new feature building constructed from shipping containers provides 10 additional business units and introduces a distinctive industrial aesthetic. Infill units complement the existing buildings, while careful phasing allows the business park to remain operational throughout construction.
The result is a more efficient and contemporary commercial environment without displacing existing occupiers.
Across the three Evolve schemes, Bowman Riley has provided architectural expertise to help Galliard Group develop, adapt and deliver a consistent commercial concept across different sites and development opportunities.
Our involvement has ranged from establishing the original Evolve model in Colchester, through developing a new-build scheme around challenging site levels in Milton Keynes, to intensifying an existing business park in Watford.
A concept designed to evolve
The three schemes demonstrate how a strong commercial concept can be adapted to different sites, contexts and opportunities.
Colchester established the model. Milton Keynes refined it. Watford extended it.
Together, they demonstrate Bowman Riley’s ability to take a proven development concept and evolve it in response to the opportunities of each site.
Project statistics
3
Evolve schemes
153
Business units and offices across Colchester and Milton Keynes
+16
Additional units created at Watford
3
Distinct locations across the South of England