Maker and Faber
Desco delivered the M&E and public health design services for two commercial office buildings located on the former Vaux Brewery site as part of the Riverside Sunderland Regeneration Masterplan.
The offices are part of a £100m commitment from Legal & General and developed by Landid to deliver 150,000ft² of Grade A office space over two new buildings, “Faber”, which stands at five-storeys high, and “Maker” which stands at six-storeys high. They are two of only four new-build office buildings to open outside of London in 2025.
The buildings, which are the third phase of the new Riverside development in Sunderland, were completed and handed over in the first quarter of 2025 and achieved BREEAM Excellent rating and had a focus on sustainability and wellbeing. Providing office space for a number of companies to base themselves across the two buildings, the site will become a major UK Business Hub sited within the approved masterplan for the re-development.
Creating a healthy workplace environment was a key part of the buildings design, with over 1,000 windows installed between the two buildings, to create light, bright and airy workspaces.
Maker and Faber feature double height receptions, exposed ceiling finishes, raised access floors, air conditioning, space for ground floor food and beverage units, LED lighting throughout, as well as Photovoltaic panels as part of the building’s sustainability aspirations.
Air Source Heat Pumps generate hot water and high efficiency free cooling chillers will generate chilled water.
These new buildings will be essential to the regeneration of the city centre and provide a range of new employment opportunities to local people. Creating further high quality, vibrant and flexible office space, enabling Sunderland to attract forward-thinking tenants and focus on well-being and sustainability.
Project
Maker and Faber
Location
Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
Value
£34m