City Gate II
Client
Private Client
Location
Newcastle -Upon- Tyne
Sector
Workspace
The Challenge
The reception at City Gate 2 had remained untouched since the building’s original opening, resulting in a space that felt dated, underutilised, and disconnected from the needs of its tenants. As the first point of contact for visitors and occupants, the reception lacked the presence and functionality expected of a modern commercial environment. The existing layout offered little flexibility, and the overall experience no longer aligned with the building’s identity or the dynamic culture of those working within.
James Grant
Associate Director
James Grant
Associate Director
James brings extensive experience across architecture, interior design, and commercial fitout, combining creative vision with strong commercial understanding. Before joining Aitken Turnbull, he was a Director at Steelcase in Australia, delivering workspace strategies for clients such as Deloitte, NAB, KPMG, and ANZ, and working closely with universities including Melbourne, RMIT, and UNSW. Earlier, he led workplace and education projects in practices across Melbourne, London, and Newcastle. As Workspace Sector Lead at Aitken Turnbull, James provides strategic direction and builds strong, long-term client relationships. He plays a key role in managing partnerships with major clients including Lloyds Banking Group and Wates, while promoting a collaborative, thoughtful, and innovative approach across the studio.
Callum Ford
Associate & Technical Lead
Callum Ford
Associate & Technical Lead
As an experienced Architectural Technician, Callum combines strong technical knowledge with a practical, hands-on approach at Aitken Turnbull. Starting as a trainee while studying Architectural Technology at Edinburgh Napier University, he has built up experience across housing, bespoke homes, non-domestic buildings, and fit-out projects. Involved from early design through to completion, Callum specialises in BIM and clear, accurate project delivery. His skills in 3D visualisation also help bring designs to life and support effective communication with clients and teams. Approachable and down-to-earth, he ensures projects run smoothly and efficiently from start to finish.
Niamh Flett
Interior Designer
Niamh Flett
Interior Designer
Niamh is part of the Aitken Turnbull team as an Interior Designer, bringing creativity, fresh thinking, and a keen eye for detail. Since graduating from Heriot-Watt University in 2023, she’s built experience across a range of sectors, with a particular focus on commercial workspace projects. Niamh plays an active role in delivering thoughtful, engaging interiors that put people at the heart of design. She enjoys working collaboratively with colleagues and clients to create dynamic, user-focused environments. With a positive, hands-on approach, Niamh is passionate about shaping spaces that work well for people while continuing to grow her skills across all stages of design and project delivery.
Our Approach
We began by collaborating closely with the building’s management team to gain a clear understanding of tenant expectations and day-to-day operational requirements. This dialogue shaped a design response focused on creating a welcoming, adaptable, and future-focused reception environment.
The spatial layout was reconfigured to improve flow, visibility, and usability. A new reception desk was positioned to enhance the arrival experience, while an informal waiting area was introduced—providing a flexible, comfortable space for casual meetings or short breaks. Material selection was central to the transformation: warm natural finishes, soft textures, and a muted palette were used to bring a calm, contemporary character to the space. A living green wall was added as a biophilic feature, offering natural colour and a sense of vitality.
3000
Sq Ft
3
Consultants
350k
Value
The Solution
The reimagined reception now delivers a confident new identity for City Gate 2—professional, welcoming, and fit for purpose. It offers tenants a more engaging, people-focused experience, while remaining practical and easy to maintain. The improved layout enhances circulation and usability, while subtle materiality and detailing elevate the space without overwhelming it. The result is a refreshed and refined environment that sets the tone for the building, supports its day-to-day function, and leaves a lasting impression on everyone who walks through the door.
James Grant
Associate Director
James brings extensive experience across architecture, interior design, and commercial fitout, combining creative vision with strong commercial understanding. Before joining Aitken Turnbull, he was a Director at Steelcase in Australia, delivering workspace strategies for clients such as Deloitte, NAB, KPMG, and ANZ, and working closely with universities including Melbourne, RMIT, and UNSW. Earlier, he led workplace and education projects in practices across Melbourne, London, and Newcastle. As Workspace Sector Lead at Aitken Turnbull, James provides strategic direction and builds strong, long-term client relationships. He plays a key role in managing partnerships with major clients including Lloyds Banking Group and Wates, while promoting a collaborative, thoughtful, and innovative approach across the studio.
James Grant
Associate Director
James brings extensive experience across architecture, interior design, and commercial fitout, combining creative vision with strong commercial understanding. Before joining Aitken Turnbull, he was a Director at Steelcase in Australia, delivering workspace strategies for clients such as Deloitte, NAB, KPMG, and ANZ, and working closely with universities including Melbourne, RMIT, and UNSW. Earlier, he led workplace and education projects in practices across Melbourne, London, and Newcastle. As Workspace Sector Lead at Aitken Turnbull, James provides strategic direction and builds strong, long-term client relationships. He plays a key role in managing partnerships with major clients including Lloyds Banking Group and Wates, while promoting a collaborative, thoughtful, and innovative approach across the studio.
Callum Ford
Associate & Technical Lead
As an experienced Architectural Technician, Callum combines strong technical knowledge with a practical, hands-on approach at Aitken Turnbull. Starting as a trainee while studying Architectural Technology at Edinburgh Napier University, he has built up experience across housing, bespoke homes, non-domestic buildings, and fit-out projects. Involved from early design through to completion, Callum specialises in BIM and clear, accurate project delivery. His skills in 3D visualisation also help bring designs to life and support effective communication with clients and teams. Approachable and down-to-earth, he ensures projects run smoothly and efficiently from start to finish.
Callum Ford
Associate & Technical Lead
As an experienced Architectural Technician, Callum combines strong technical knowledge with a practical, hands-on approach at Aitken Turnbull. Starting as a trainee while studying Architectural Technology at Edinburgh Napier University, he has built up experience across housing, bespoke homes, non-domestic buildings, and fit-out projects. Involved from early design through to completion, Callum specialises in BIM and clear, accurate project delivery. His skills in 3D visualisation also help bring designs to life and support effective communication with clients and teams. Approachable and down-to-earth, he ensures projects run smoothly and efficiently from start to finish.
Niamh Flett
Interior Designer
Niamh is part of the Aitken Turnbull team as an Interior Designer, bringing creativity, fresh thinking, and a keen eye for detail. Since graduating from Heriot-Watt University in 2023, she’s built experience across a range of sectors, with a particular focus on commercial workspace projects. Niamh plays an active role in delivering thoughtful, engaging interiors that put people at the heart of design. She enjoys working collaboratively with colleagues and clients to create dynamic, user-focused environments. With a positive, hands-on approach, Niamh is passionate about shaping spaces that work well for people while continuing to grow her skills across all stages of design and project delivery.
Niamh Flett
Interior Designer
Niamh is part of the Aitken Turnbull team as an Interior Designer, bringing creativity, fresh thinking, and a keen eye for detail. Since graduating from Heriot-Watt University in 2023, she’s built experience across a range of sectors, with a particular focus on commercial workspace projects. Niamh plays an active role in delivering thoughtful, engaging interiors that put people at the heart of design. She enjoys working collaboratively with colleagues and clients to create dynamic, user-focused environments. With a positive, hands-on approach, Niamh is passionate about shaping spaces that work well for people while continuing to grow her skills across all stages of design and project delivery.
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