On the upper floors, previously derelict offices were converted into 19 bespoke boutique bedrooms. Each was shaped by its constraints — awkward footprints, heritage quirks — but made distinctive through smart space planning, clever detailing, and rich, characterful styling. No two rooms are alike, and all reflect the charm of the building’s eclectic past.

The challenge: to create a destination that transcends the traditional hotel and conference centre functionality – by fusing commercial opportunity with creative interior design and emotional storytelling. Our goal was not just to redesign a space, but to reframe the guest experience.

Drawing from the university’s twin legacies of engineering precision and fine art heritage, we approached the project as both scholars and creatives—blending form and feeling to reveal a masterclass in thoughtful brand strategy and brand design.

The result is a collection of five distinct yet harmonious spaces, each one crafted with purpose and layered storytelling. At the heart is Fifty the Street, a bespoke architecturally-built restaurant, conceived by our in-house team—where curated materials, textures, and tones invite connection and a place to truly relax. In the new bar, circular motifs echo the elegant mechanics of engines and the fluidity of innovation, honouring Loughborough’s industrial past in design and technology.

The Reception has been reimagined as a seamless, intuitive welcome. Self-check-in technology is wrapped in warmth and underpinned by an environment that feels both intelligent and human. Throughout, refreshed signage and wayfinding do more than direct; they quietly guide, empowering guests with clarity and confidence.

Every design detail at Burleigh Court is intentional, turning each space into a conversation. The result is a living narrative—one that invites guests not only to rest, but to engage with a deeper current of progress. This is no ordinary stay. It’s a quiet transformation—where exceptional customer experience is now truly second nature.

Following a complete rebrand and space redefinition, the entire guest experience is now underpinned by a distinctive brand essence of ‘fables and tales’ – this has formed the foundation for all the creative decisions made for the hotel’s interiors and brand touchpoints. The links with storytelling and fiction has lent the new environment with a sense of escapism. The hotel has established a new foundation of authenticity and substance that gives it a clear unique selling point and a newfound international appeal .

Inspired by Black Tap’s Soho-to-Soho journey, the interiors fuse NYC street culture with London’s architectural elegance, exemplifying how thoughtful project management and a creative interior design vision can seamlessly blend heritage and innovation

On the ground floor, a monochrome palette sets the tone; geometric black-and-white tiles flow cross a sculptural bar. It’s a confident statement — modern, yet respectful of place.

Descend to the basement and the tone shifts: vibrant, playful and immersive. A giant boombox installation, LED-lit corridors, fire escape-inspired seating, and graffiti murals by NYC street artist Bradley Theodore capture the city’s urban spirit.

Every element — from bespoke furnishings to an angelic statue with a neon aux cord — is designed to surprise, delight, and tell a story through spatial design. The Harrison team expertly balanced preservation with provocation, where Black Tap’s creative energy meets London’s timeless character.

“By illuminating these elements and layering artwork over them, we were able to create a striking contrasting feature that respects the building’s heritage while delivering Black Tap’s signature bold aesthetic,” explains Sarah.

This transformation of Black Tap London is more than a fit-out — it’s a masterclass in experiential interior design, a physical manifestation of brand identity, and a bold expression of project management brought to life, cross-continent.

The property consisted of two separate buildings which required extensive alterations to integrate the space, as well incorporating a new modern glass box extension. A key design challenge was to ensure that the integrated buildings were sympathetic to existing architecture and how we tied the design of the rooms together while also giving them an individual feel.

A further challenge was the design of effective mechanical solutions for ventilation, kitchen extract and disabled access within a listed environment.

Our design delivered a number of distinctive designs across three floors. On the lower ground floor, we integrated a new kitchen area with glazed panels for clear customer vision. An atmospheric Victorian corridor with a patterned tiled floor finish and raw concrete walls linked the toilets & private dining rooms.
Existing finishes were left in their raw state, to contrast the timberwork to tile feature on the staircase and balustrade with glass light pendants creating a warm glow, whilst artwork and fittings depicted the manufacture of rope and references to the Enderby & Sons company.

The landmark windmill that anchors this site provided a unique opportunity to frame a narrative of Southern hospitality, bold BBQ flavour, and lived-in authenticity. Drawing on insights from our research tours of the US, we introduced layered design touches that feel as if they’ve grown organically over time—aged timber, reclaimed materials, eclectic bric-a-brac, and artwork inspired by rural Americana.

Storytelling isn’t about theatrics—it’s about truth, craft, and emotional connection. Our design approach for The Depot leans into this philosophy, creating an interior that feels both contemporary and grounded, where historical references are gently layered into the textures, materials, and visual cues of the space.

From the reclaimed industrial fittings to soft military-inspired detailing, every design choice helps tell the story of a site once tied to national defence, now reimagined as a hub for community and connection.

The name “The Depot” became a powerful anchor for the brand identity—not just a title, but a narrative gateway. It shaped the tone of voice, visual language, and the emotional framework of the venue. Our branding strategy positioned the pub not as a standalone concept, but as a living part of Kidbrooke’s evolving story—grounded in the past, and relevant to the present.

At a time when place and belonging matter more than ever, The Depot is proof that the past can be reshaped to create a quietly brilliant gathering place for a new local community.

What was once a tired student venue has been transformed into a vibrant destination for students, locals, and visitors alike – through strategic interior design, layered branding, and end-to-end project management by the UK Harrison Design Team.

The Cambridge Union Society had long been the beating heart of ideas, intellect, and independent thought in Cambridge. Our vision was to create a space that felt as charismatic and compelling as the debates that shaped it.

Our design and brand strategy drew directly from the essence of the Society itself — a home of thinkers, rebels, orators, and iconoclasts. We called this spirit “spirited independent sociability” — a modern British personality with roots in wit, wordplay, and quiet grandeur.

The name The Orator gave us a stage. From there, we layered in storytelling: stitched menus inspired by Savile Row tailoring, signage that whispers with hidden quotation marks, and walls adorned with witticisms from legendary speakers. Even behind the bar, a chalkboard waits for each guest speaker’s closing line.

Every detail, every corner, every quip on the wall is infused with this intellectual swagger and the charismatic energy of centuries of debate.

Inside, the interior shifts from the gravitas of heritage to moments of lightness and character. Rich woods, deep blues, aged metals, and bespoke artwork mix seamlessly to create an atmosphere that feels timeless yet refreshingly alive. Wayfinding was a key part of this; how do we navigate guests through the experience? Using intelligent visual cues and layered messaging, we ensured that guests are gently guided — not just through the venue, but through its story.

The Orator now stands as more than just a place to dine or drink. Here, the debate continues – not just in words, but in every detail of the designed space. Debate may be the tradition — but history and storytelling IS the transformation.

The brief was clear: create a high-capacity restaurant that doesn’t feel crowded. Our solution was a layout anchored by intuitive flow with the point of sale strategically positioned at the heart of the store, guiding guests naturally through the space.

To help define zones without compromising openness, we introduced a sculptural ceiling feature and a custom half-moon booth a bold yet fluid form that marks the transition from ordering to dining, without closing anything off.

The real challenge was balance: seating density versus comfort. Through considered planning and custom furniture design, we crafted a layout that maximises covers while still feeling generous and relaxed.

Every surface tells a story from bespoke tiles to layered timberwork and handcrafted finishes. Inspired by Nando’s iconic geometric patterns, these details bring rhythm, warmth, and a sense of place. The result? A dining environment that feels vibrant, inviting, and unmistakably Nando’s, contemporary in spirit, rooted in culture.