GALLERY | OP delivers 26,000 sq ft Potenza Technology fit-out
The interiors business has completed the transformation of the electric vehicle R&D firm’s new UK headquarters in Coventry.
The 20-week project has successfully reimagined 26,000 sq ft of space within a self-contained building on a prominent industrial estate.
Established in 1999, Potenza was created to focus on low/zero-emission technology, and in 2020 became the UK electric vehicle battery R&D centre for FPT Industrial, part of the IVECO Group, a global manufacturer of commercial vehicles.
Potenza Technology wanted to bring all employees together, from workshop staff and clients to office-based teams, in a shared environment promoting collaboration and connection, said OP, which works from Birmingham, Manchester, Reading and London.
The refurbishment maintains the building’s EPC A rating, meeting current building regulations for a structure originally built to 2013 standards.
Starting with a completely empty shell, OP constructed all internal walls, extended the existing mezzanine and installed a new staircase to create a cohesive two-storey environment.
The ground floor has been designed as a vibrant social hub, featuring a large communal dining area. OP has also delivered a flexible ‘town hall’ space providing a multifunctional setting for meetings, gatherings and social events, while there are also themed refreshment areas.
This ground floor also houses laboratory and workshop facilities, with glazing and open sightlines ensuring visual connectivity throughout the space.
Potenza’s extended mezzanine level delivers modern office accommodation, including meeting rooms, flexible spaces and a coffee point. A quiet work zone provides focused space for concentrated activities, while a dedicated wellness room supports employee wellbeing.
Large glass windows in meeting rooms overlook the workshop below, reinforcing the design’s core principle of transparency and connection across all areas of the business.
Industrial elements including exposed ceilings, vertical steelwork and retained concrete floors paying homage to Coventry’s rich manufacturing heritage, OP added.
An extensive planting scheme runs throughout the workspace, bringing natural elements inside and contributing to improved air quality and employee wellbeing.
The project marks OP’s second major refurbishment in Coventry. OP worked in partnership with MEDA Consulting and Cushman & Wakefield to deliver the project, which was completed to meet Iveco Group’s ambitious timeline for relocating to its new headquarters.
Gary Tailby, managing director of OP, said: “This project exemplifies our approach to workplace design – creating spaces that bring people together and reflect a company’s unique culture and values.”
Deborah Lyall, operation project manager at Iveco Group said: “OP understood our vision from the outset and delivered a workspace that truly represents who we are as a business.
“The new headquarters brings our teams together in ways our previous space never could, creating opportunities for collaboration and connection across all levels of the organisation.”
Click any image to launch gallery.
- The mezzanine overlooks workshop space. Credit: OP
- Breakout areas have been created. Credit: OP
- OP was instructed in June. Credit: OP
