The Concrete Offices

These offices make up part of a larger complex of former headquarters buildings, in a former country estate. Sadly, the whole site is abandoned and derelict, with all the buildings decaying slowly. These offices are a very grand and imposing set, built in the mid-1980s and designed by a rather famous architect from a long family line of architects stretching back to the 19th century. They have had many uses over the years, ranging from headquarters for a concrete company to a computer IT company. The build is impressive, built of huge cast concrete blocks all slotted into each other like a jigsaw puzzle. From the outside, the building is a hulking, brooding mass but once you’re inside it is surprisingly spacious and cavernous, especially the large foyers!

The Explore:

So, the exploration was rather fun. I arrived at the site and found my way inside pretty quickly and was met with a motion sensor which I managed to avoid. The entire interior is littered with the bloody things – they’re everywhere! I had a very hard time navigating the inside to avoid them, but eventually, I set one off. And then after setting them off, I just threw caution to the wind and walked through the place as if I owned it. The interior layout was confusing as anything because stairs and passageways led off in every direction. It was hard to stay coordinated! However, after an hour and a half, I heard sirens on the roads. I didn’t think those were for me, but, they were, as ten minutes later, when I finished photographing the boiler room, I heard radio chatter. Police!!! I hid for a few minutes and contemplated making a break for it, but when looking down the huge underground car park tunnel, I could see torches at the far end… my end of the tunnel was blocked off by a grill. So, I gave myself up. Turns out, six cars and twelve officers had rocked up. So much for being understaffed, under-resourced and all that they claim! However, they were amicable and once they realised that I wasn’t a burglar (almost instantly) they were chatty and friendly. I was escorted off site and that was that.

  • The main entrance foyer.
  • Reception desk.
  • Decorative pool.
  • Looking down the light well.
  • Mullioned windows.
  • Mullioned windows.
  • Light well foyer.
  • Looking back up.
  • Looking up the stairs.
  • Floor sign.
  • A spiral staircase.
  • One of the cavernous offices.
  • Another office.
  • The large cross shaped pillars.
  • The plant room from above.
  • Pipes.
  • Dials.
  • Generator.
  • Pipes and valves.
  • A valve.
  • Another generator.
  • Pipes.
  • Boilers and pumps.
  • Pumps.
  • Pipes leading to who knows where.
  • The windows.
  • Boilers.
  • Pumps.
  • Steam valves.
  • Dials.
  • Switchboard.
  • Control knobs.
  • Buttons.
  • Electricity switchboard.
  • Laboratory rules!
  • Laboratory 4.