Hiscox office building by Make Architects features a grand staircase and a Soviet rocket
A decommissioned Soviet rocket is the centrepiece for this sculptural cast-concrete office in York, England, designed by Make Architects for insurance company Hiscox (+ slideshow).
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_936_4.jpg)
London-based Make was tasked with creating a contemporary building for the global firm, but one that would sit comfortably in its setting within a historic walled city.
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_936_3.jpg)
It responded with a building that features three different areas of materials.
Externally the building has two faces, one brick and one glass, but internally it features a series of curving concrete floors that wrap around a spacious atrium
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_936_14.jpg)
This atrium forms the heart of the building, encompassing the full four-storey height of the structure. It serves a number of functions, as a reception, a cafe, an informal meeting area and a general break-out space for staff.
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_936_5.jpg)
The 12-metre-long decommissioned rocket sits at the centre of the atrium, illuminated from above by a curving skylight. It is one of several artworks integrated into the office, intended to "provoke and inspire" staff.
Snaking around the perimeter of the space, a grand concrete ascends between all four floors and also integrates balconies.
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_936_7.jpg)
In this way, staff are encouraged to interact with one another as they make their way up to their workspaces – which are all open plan.
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_936_6.jpg)
"Our brief was to create a totally bespoke workplace, designed from the inside out, that brings together the very best thinking in architecture, workplace and brand experience," said Make in a statement.
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_936_2-1.jpg)
"We selected robust materials that would improve with age and use, and used in-situ concrete throughout the interior interspersed with bespoke leather handrails and benches," it added.
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_936_9-1.jpg)
Externally, the building's two facades serve different functions. On the north side, the glazed curtain wall fronts the road and accommodates the main entrance.
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_936_12-1.jpg)
Meanwhile, the south-facing brick wall provides solar shading and also helps to tie the building in with its more traditional neighbours. But there is a twist – the brick strips are arranged around the windows in a basketweave effect.
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_936_0-1.jpg)
"One of our main design influences was heritage-rich York itself," said Make.
"The interior centrepiece – the ribbon-like concrete staircase – is inspired by the undulating city walls, as is the brick weave facade, which draws on the former hay and wool market that existed on the Hiscox site until the 1920s."
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_936_1-1.jpg)
The 4,432-square-metre Hiscox Building provides enough space for 500 employees, making it the company's biggest office outside London.
It also features a roof terrace offering staff views over the city rooftops towards York Minster cathedral.
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_936_15.jpg)
Make partner Jason Parker described it as "a building that conveys a sense of joy from both inside and out".
"We hope the building will provide a lasting legacy, enhancing its city context and establishing a strong and vibrant Hiscox presence for years to come," he said.
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_936_11-1.jpg)
Make was founded by former Foster + Partners partner Ken Shuttleworth, whose designs include 30 St Mary Axe, more commonly known as The Gherkin. Past projects by the firm include a university building constructed with straw and a kiosk with a folded aluminium shell.
Photography is by the architects.
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_site-plan.jpg)
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_ground-floor-plan_1_.gif)
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_first-floor-plan_1_.gif)
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_second-floor-plan_1_.gif)
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_long-section_1_.gif)
![Hiscox by Make](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/02/hiscox-office-building-make-architects-york-england-soviet-rocket_dezeen_cross-section_1_.gif)