Derby’s hugely successful arts and multimedia centre, QUAD, appointed Simon Foote Architects to transform its ground floor. The brief was to convert the existing open-plan layout into a space with more clearly defined areas, whilst retaining the sense of openness and visual accessibility.

The project included redesigning and refurbishing the main entrance, box office and reception, the cafe/bar area and kitchen, and the entrance into the art gallery. A solid oak and walnut glazed screen between the cafe/bar and the main reception area has been introduced, and the functionality of the counters and back of house areas has been rationalised. The result is clear visual links between the individual spaces.

QUAD’s refurbishment features a bespoke walnut bulkhead, which links the box office to the cafe area, and a bar servery with a vertical oak-clad façade and stone worktops, which mirror the relocated box office. Lighting designs by Tom Dixon, Lorosae and Kaiser Idell beautifully finish the redesigned space.

The biggest challenge of the project was to increase the number of seats in the cafe, whilst reducing the floor area in order to enlarge the size of the kitchen – all without extending the actual building. The result is an intimate, accessible and welcoming reworking of this already popular arts centre.