- OFFICE DESIGN, FIT-OUT, FURNITURE
GWR Milford House
The opportunity
GWR’s rapidly expanding Learning & Development function had outgrown its existing training setup. What started as a need for additional training rooms became an opportunity to create a dedicated, purpose-built centre that could bring the entire L&D function back together.
The new environment needed to increase training capacity, reduce reliance on external venues and create a more connected and welcoming workplace for trainers, trainees and support staff. The brief called for flexible training spaces, improved team collaboration and facilities that could scale with future demand.
The approach
Kerr Office Group worked closely with GWR to understand not only what the new centre needed to accommodate, but also how the L&D team worked and wanted to work in the future.
The design translated a complex operational brief into a flexible and future-ready training environment. Eight training rooms were created with full-height glazing to maximise transparency and natural light, while flexible configurations allow four rooms to be combined into two larger spaces for groups of up to 25 people.
The centre also brought trainers, training managers and the allocations team together around a central open-plan workspace. Dedicated meeting pods, a media room, assessment centre, breakout space, storage and a purpose-designed kitchen and reception area were incorporated to support the centre’s day-to-day operation.
The impact
The completed Milford House training centre has significantly increased GWR’s training and recruitment capacity while reducing the need to use external venues.
By bringing training, assessment and L&D operations together in one central environment, the project has improved communication, strengthened team cohesion and created a more consistent learning experience.
The new facility also eliminates previous breakout congestion and provides dedicated spaces for confidential feedback, assessment and collaboration. The result is a scalable, future-ready training centre designed around operational efficiency, employee experience and long-term growth.
As Mary O’Neill, Head of Project Delivery at Great Western Railway, said: “The product is amazing, and we are all very pleased!”
Space in focus
Week one
Discovery
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