Case Study: The Creative Hub at SiGNAL

Stuart Morrison 8 May, 2025 Articles No Comments

Below is a recent project case study – if you have any questions get in touch!

SiGNAL Case Study: A Community Built on Collaboration
Working with SiGNAL, a local shared workspace, office mangement and business resource for small, local businesses gave me the opportunity to contribute to the business in ways that reflect my skills and experience.

Emma Selby, who leads SiGNAL, lives by the organisation’s ethos: “No one can build a business alone.” and has built a dynamic team of experienced professionals, many of whom run businesses themselves, creating a collaborative and inspiring culture in the team.

Team meetings are never dull. You’re seated around a table with peers, exchanging ideas and challenging one another’s ideas. While discussions can be robust, consensus usually results in stronger outcomes for customers and BiZHUB members alike.

During one such meeting the idea of the ‘Creative Hub’ was on the agenda, and the idea was to rebrand the Offices at the Shed, Bordon into a shared workspace for small, local independent creators of all types.

Here’s the full story and the journey from a rather anonymous, uninspiring corridor to an on-brand, fun and modern space for creatives to collaborate and enjoy.

Here you can see all three booths undecorated.

The Challenge: Evolving to Meet a Creative Need

Since its launch in 2017, SiGNAL has adapted to the evolving needs of the small business community in Bordon. Originally focused on networking events, the business now also manages office spaces, car parks, mailboxes and more. The latest evolution is its expansion into Aldershot and Farnborough, alongside a global reach via its online platform at signalbizhub.co.uk, with members as far afield as Tokyo.

By March 2025, it was clear that SiGNAL’s mezzanine offices at The Shed could be reimagined and given a make-over. The idea was to transform the upstairs corridor and “breakout booths” into a co-working zone for creatives: a vibrant and creative space where collaboration, inspiration, and interaction could thrive. The concept was simply “The Creative Hub” and that was my brief!

Backstory & Vision: A Creative Hub for Creators

The idea first surfaced during an informal meeting at The Royal Exchange, Lindford, between myself, Emma, Rob Fryer, and Matt Lakvaard. Emma suggested SiGNAL repurpose some of the recently vacated offices into hot-desking spaces specifically for creatives. The Shed is already known for live music, arts, and events, so the space felt like a natural extension of its creative & community spirit.

We saw a need for flexible, inspiring workspaces that offered the kind of impromptu interactions missing from home based businesses. Emma was quick to identify that solo creatives and small businesses needed desks without the overheads or commitment of a full-time office. This would also help with those serendipitous “water cooler moments” that foster collaborative opportunities.

The idea gained traction at our next all-team meeting. We all agreed — a relaxed “hang spot” for creatives made sense.

The Offer: Simple, Flexible, Creative

The Creative Hub offers access for just £30 per month, giving users the flexibility to book desk time between 7am and 11pm. They can bring their own tech, work in a professional space, meet fellow creatives, and access a purpose-built podcast studio. The offering is simple but effective.

The Challenge: A Corridor Becomes a Canvas

But then came the big question — who would actually design the space? We had four weeks until launch. The corridor had to be completely transformed, turning an anonymous walkway into a bold, creative statement, within just 28 days and on a very modest budget.

No one volunteered.

So, I jumped at the chance. It was right in my wheelhouse, and with my partner Jem’s help on the vision and execution, I knew we could pull it off on time and within budget. I had ideas forming as I accepted the role and couldn’t wait to begin.

Constraints: Budget, Safety, Flexibility

The space posed several limitations:

Budget was modest and deadline was very tight.
All elements had to be removable (SiGNAL may one day vacate).
No damage could be done to the padded booth walls.
All materials had to be hard-wearing and commercially viable.
Everything had to be installed fast and without disrputing the current tenants, mostly over the Easter Bank Holiday.

I also wanted to embody the “local and loyal” ethos of SiGNAL and use as many local, small businesses that I could. Failing that I would use independent online creators, businesses and local stores, to support local jobs.

The Process – Using the Power of AI, Ingenuity & Experience

I began by photographing the booths: there’s three similar booths, an orange centre booth, flanked by two dark grey/black booths. See images below: Then using AI (ChatGPT) I generated my visual concepts based on thematic prompts. This was my first time using AI in a live design and budget brief. It sped up the process immensely.

Each booth received a unique creative identity

The Bougie Booth
Calming foliage, layered white and gold frames, soft colours, and floral charm. Think effortless, chic grace.

The Industrial/Steampunk Booth
Inspired by industry, steampunk and a bit of a “mancave” design. Raw but refined, with speaker cabinet textures, flight case motifs, and a little Jules Verne flair.

The Cabaret/Theatrical Booth
Rich red velvet curtains, Victorian show posters, and a miniature proscenium arch. A nod to my family’s passion for performance.

I mocked up each design using Photoshop and ChatGPT visuals, then created a full costed plan and presented it to Emma for approval.

Execution & Delivery – From Digital to Physical

To avoid damaging the booth walls, I built removable timber frames and used gridwall, metal mesh panels common in retail, to mount decorative elements. Gridwall is flexible, affordable, and perfect for hanging visuals without screws.

I sourced components from local and independent suppliers where possible (see the list in the index below), in keeping with SiGNAL’s ethos. Where time or supply forced my hand, I used larger retailers like IKEA for foliage and base materials.

Key Features:

Iron Girders: Crafted from 9mm ply and finished with red oxide paint for a faux-rust effect.
Steampunk trunk – a real steamer trunk cut down and fake travel stickers made and glued on. Easter egg – names of the SiGNAL team are all added to the labels…
Photo Frames: All sourced from Bernardo’s charity shop — a bargain and sustainable too.
Theatrical ‘Pros Arch’: Built from skirting board and dado rail, spray-painted gold.
Steampunk Art: Found via Etsy — all niche sellers.

One mistake, I had the gridwall delivered to my house instead of the Shed, not easy to move 8ft long gridwall, in three packages, thankfully a friend’s campervan came to the rescue!

Corridor Wall Panels: Reclaimed Beauty

Beyond the booths, the corridor also needed uplifting. Instead of painting directly onto the walls, I reclaimed 13mm plywood panels from disused hoarding surrounding The Shed.

These boards, weathered but with solid sections in the middle, were cut, sanded, shaped, and painted black. Their angular, rounded-corner shape was inspired by Rob Fryer’s original SiGNAL branding. Once prepped, I handed them over to Rob and Matt, who hand-painted inspirational messaging in SiGNAL’s style. They did a fab job and worked tirelessly to deliver these fab additions to the project.

A few panels opposite the booths were built with photo-frame designs, providing selfie spots and user interaction spaces. Bring a white marker pen and you can add to the communal message board.

Results: Delivered on Time, On Budget, On Brand

We pulled it off. Despite the time crunch, sourcing challenges, and installation logistics, the Creative Hub opened on time and within budget. The booths are in daily use and have already generated positive feedback from members and visitors alike.

The space is bold, inspiring, and most importantly, used by creatives. It reflects SiGNAL’s community spirit; local, collaborative, and resourceful.

Bougie Booth

Steampunk Booth

Cabaret Booth

We’re very pleased the vision matches the installation so closely. Which one is your favourite?

Conclusion: Creativity Through Community

This project wasn’t just about redecorating a corridor. It was about reimagining a space to serve a growing creative community. It involved design, problem-solving, and a heavy dose of elbow grease. And it stands as a testament to what small businesses can achieve when they lean into creativity, sustainability, and each other.

The Creative Hub is more than just a space — it’s a sign of what’s possible when you let creativity into your business.

Want to Update Your Workspace?

If you like what you see and wish to discuss your project please get in touch, I found the whole process energsigng and inspiring and it has re-awakened the hands-on maker & engineering problem solver in me!

We worked hard, and whilst I haven’t highlighted Jemma’s flourishes, guidance and creative touches, undoubtably the project would not had the level of look and finish without her skill, input and hands on work. All intergal to ensuring that we hit our deadline and the launch of the Creative Hub was a huge success.

The client, Emma Selby at Signal shared her thoughts and gave me this fab review:

“I’m very pleased with the end result, and the entire space feels very different to before. Stuart and Jemma’s skill and creativity have really transformed the space on a very tight budget and short deadline.

The personality of the workspace feels so different as a result and it makes such a difference to have original, handcrafted pieces, and I couldn’t be happier and I am looking for the next project to involve them in!”

Emma Selby – SiGNAL

Index
Here’s a brief breakdown of where we got stuff

Cut outs and steampunk gears – mattandmike.co.uk

All photo frames – Bordon Barnardoes Charity Shop

Various art supplies from Academy Arts & Crafts in Petersfield, thank you to their lovely, friendly team – academyartandcrafts.com

Curtains were a Vinted purchase, with fireproofing spray purchased from: fireproofspray.co.uk

Fake bolt heads
mikedeakinart.uk

Coomers our local independent builders merchants supplied wood and other supplies for construction as well as kindly donated a man and van to collect the reclaimed hoarding materials. THANK YOU DAVE, GREV AND YOUR TEAM!
Coomers.co.uk

Spray paint from Wickes.co.uk in Alton

Some of the fake plants, and gold plant pots were purchased at Ikea.co.uk the rest were purchased from a lovely lady at the sunday Country Market Car Boot.

Gridwall and fixtures – directmannequins.co.uk

Various other fixtures, fittings, some offcuts of wood and other “stuff” were already in-stock in my Stu-dio.

Published November 2024 Herald Group Newspapers

Photo Credit: Dall.E