Focusing on adaptability, wellbeing and circularity, the new factory for Secure Meters designed by Studio Saar transforms a newly constructed warehouse in Filton, Bristol, into a light-filled workplace rooted in care for both people and planet.
Inside, a double-height workshop accommodates light-industrial and auxiliary functions, including storage, triage, maintenance and repair facilities, alongside offices and sorting areas, all directly connected to a loading bay.
Large skylights flood the 12-metre-high internal space with daylight, while a flexible network of custom timber armatures spatially defines distinct working zones. Constructed from off-the-shelf 4x2 timber sections, these modular frames integrate lighting, heating and cable management systems, and are endlessly flexible; providing options for future disassembly, reuse and reconfiguration as operational needs evolve and the facility grows.
The material palette prioritises low-carbon natural finishes, including timber and cork, to create a warm and tactile environment for staff. Existing furniture from a previous Secure Meters facility has been carefully reintegrated throughout, to reduce waste while preserving continuity and familiarity for staff.
Communal kitchen and canteen, located beneath a mezzanine overlooking the workshop, are conceived as places for pause, interaction and collective exchange, with long dining tables encourage informal gathering. Solid ash benches with integrated planting soften transitions between the break-out spaces and the factory floor.
Grounded in Secure Meters and Studio Saar’s longstanding ethos of staff wellbeing and community, the project establishes an adaptable industrial workplace that balances operational efficiency with generosity, comfort and care.
Location: Filton, Bristol
Date: 2026
Client: Secure Meters UK
Main contractor: John Perkins Construction
Bespoke joinery: Mon Timber
Approved building inspector: Sweco
Structural engineer: Splinter Structures
M&E consultant: Ferguson Brown
Fire Engineer: FCS
Passive Fire protection consultancy: Trident
Fire risk assessment: Evo Fire & Security
Planting strategy: Plant Studio, Bristol
Kitchen: Somer
Canteen and meeting room tables: Very Good & Proper
Wall tiles (kitchen & Bathroom): Stonehouse Studio
Acoustic Panels: Echophon
Sanitary Fittings: Roca
Wood wool boards: Skanda
Hanging radiant panels: Frenger
