Jenny McVey, director of Ingo Interiors on re-visiting The Place for Yorkshire Housing.

Building on a long-standing collaboration with Yorkshire Housing, Ingo Interiors returns with the second iteration of The Place - a project that continues to redefine what an inclusive, people-centred workplace can be.

Following the success of the original scheme, occupying Leeds’ first Net Zero building from Citu, this latest evolution signifies Yorkshire Housing's comeback from a devastating fire, building confidently on a shared ambition to create settings that genuinely support people, communities and the environment.

Integral to bringing this vision to life was Material Source Studio Partner, lumenear UK - Partners in Manchester, and as of this month in London too - which supported The Place with acoustic lighting solutions that reinforce focus and inclusivity within the scheme.

Responding to Yorkshire Housing’s agile working models, Ingo Interiors worked in close partnership to challenge outdated office conventions and token gestures. Instead, Jenny and the team set out to craft a workplace that prioritises wellbeing, accessibility and belonging.

From thoughtful material and product specification that supports neurodiverse ways of working, to carefully zoned spaces that balance collaboration and privacy, the design reflects a mutual belief that happier, healthier teams directly benefit the communities Yorkshire Housing serves.

In our conversation to follow, Jenny shares how Ingo rose to the challenge of designing The Place for a second time, crafting a workplace that is environmentally responsible, locally rooted, and socially powerful.

What was the concept for the new Yorkshire Housing HQ?

“Ingo Interiors was approached by Yorkshire Housing to develop the interior schemes for two floors of The Place. Nestled in the heart of Leeds’ Climate and Innovation District - the UK’s largest sustainable development - The Place is Yorkshire’s first zero-carbon workspace.

“Developed by award-winning local developer Citu, it is now home to Yorkshire Housing. The concept of Ingo's design was to build on this foundation, placing sustainability, innovation, and technology at its heart from day one. Ingo & Yorkshire Housing wanted this project to go far beyond carbon savings. It has been reimagined as a blueprint for the future of inclusive, people-centred workspaces.”

Sustainability is central to the organisation - how did that factor in your material choices?

“From the outset, sustainability was key. After a devastating fire forced colleagues out just a year after completion, Yorkshire Housing partnered with Ingo Interiors and ICON Projects to return stronger.

“Furniture was salvaged from a previous fire and repurposed wherever possible and new elements were sourced from local suppliers. This reduced transport emissions while boosting the regional economy by supporting local businesses and craftspeople.

"Every decision was made with purpose. Yorkshire Housing's The Place is not just a building, but a source for resilience and pride across Yorkshire.”

Lighting is a focal point, and you selected lumenear UK to feature throughout - tell us more - why lumenear and those products?

“As a set designer earlier on in my career, I once had ambitions of becoming a lighting designer & operative within theatre. Since shadowing a team at The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, I have understood how lighting can have a dramatic impact on the ambience and function of a space.

“This understanding alongside the increasing need for workplaces to be vibrant hubs with designated zones for privacy, lumenear was the perfect choice for acoustic lighting. The products are design led, mixing technology and aesthetics perfectly.

“Instead of being an afterthought, lumenear's products have become an integral part of the design. The enthusiasm and knowledge of Stephen and his team helped make this one of the easiest specifications of the design!”

How does that relate on a wider scale to boosting EDIB amongst employees?

“The redesign rejects outdated office conventions and instead embraces diversity of thought, work style and need. Lighting and acoustics play a vital part of this. Colleague feedback of their previous workplaces directly informed design choices made for The Place.

“Natural materials, varied textures, and adaptable furniture support neurodiverse ways of working. Quiet zones, collaborative hubs, and a dedicated conference floor give colleagues flexibility. While inclusive features such as an ablution sink, wellbeing room, and the calming sound of running water prioritise wellbeing.”

Are there any other parts of the design you'd like to highlight? 

“Wellbeing was a critical consideration in the design. The shift to more flexible working has shown how vital it is to create spaces that don’t just accommodate tasks, but also support mental health and connection. The Place includes indoor swings, a park-inspired relaxation zone, and a wellbeing room complete with massage chair and colour-changing lighting.

“These features allow colleagues to recharge, strengthening the social fabric of the workplace. A healthier, happier workforce directly benefits the communities Yorkshire Housing serves, ensuring that social sustainability is woven into every layer of the design.”

What's the initial response from end users been?

“The Place is far more than a workplace. Citu's development & Ingo's interior design make it a living example of how sustainability can shape not only buildings, but also the communities, economies, and environments they support.

“For Yorkshire Housing, creating The Place for a second time was an opportunity to raise the bar on what a workspace could be; innovative, environmentally responsible, locally rooted, and socially powerful. Described by colleagues as “the best workplace I’ve ever worked in,” The Place shows how sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation can unite to redefine public sector workplaces and deliver lasting community benefit.”

"The quality, look and feel of the workspace created by Jenny at Ingo Interiors has once again surpassed even my heightened expectations. We wanted to create a space that catered for everyone’s needs and where people felt truly welcome and comfortable - what has been created has certainly delivered this vision.

"The design and quality of the fit out is exceptional, with a focus on local suppliers alongside some lovely little touches that make all the difference. This is further complemented by a great use of lighting throughout. Most people’s first word when walking through the door is ‘wow’!" - Nick Atkin, CEO, Yorkshire Housing

What are you working on next?

“Ingo Interiors is continuing to work alongside Yorkshire Housing, Icon Projects and lumenear UK to create a series of Hubs for colleagues to reach in all 4 'corners' of the county. These Hubs will ensure colleagues and maintenance teams all get the benefit of a forward thing workspace, embracing Yorkshire Housing's CEO, Nick Atkin's ethos of 'Hub, Home & Roam'. Ingo Interiors is proud to support Yorkshire Housing's working culture and hopes to encourage, inspire and assist others do the same.”