Sheila Bird's new HQ for Stockport based contractor TMT playfully celebrates The Art of Construction.

When TMT approached Sheila Bird to craft them a new Stockport HQ, The Art of Construction provided the catalyst for the fun, functional scheme.

"It’s more than a building, it’s both a workplace and brand experience," commented Jon Humphreys, creative director & co-owner, Sheila Bird of the project. "Every material, texture, and movement through the space tells the story of who TMT are, champions of craft and innovation."

Across three floors, the HQ takes you on a journey. The ground floor sets the tone: tactile, honest, and built for collaboration. Reclaimed timber and exposed structure give it warmth and grit. On the ground floor the Construction Lab celebrates experimentation and the raw joy of making, a practical showroom for construction innovation. Upstairs, the palette softens. Modular furniture and lighter tones bring adaptability, comfort, and openness, a reflection of how TMT evolves and grows.

"It’s more than a building, it’s both a workplace and brand experience" - Jon Humphreys

At the heart of it all, a bold spiralling staircase connects the floors, a sculptural anchor that draws people upward and frames views across the building. A sensory lift surprises everyone who steps inside, carpeted walls, motion sensors, and texture turning a simple journey into a playful, tactile moment. Together, they turn movement into theatre and make every transition feel part of the story.

Even the furniture carries meaning. The I-beam table and brick shelving aren’t just functional, they’re artefacts of construction itself, a nod to the craft, pride, and imagination that define TMT.

"This is a workplace that doesn’t just house a business, it expresses it," added Georgia Ingleton, design director, Sheila Bird. "And it reaches beyond the walls too. Workshops, exhibitions, and prototype testing transform the HQ into a hub for learning and sharing, positioning TMT as a thought leader in sustainable construction.

"This is a workplace that doesn’t just house a business, it expresses it" - Georgia Ingleton

"Then come the details that make you smile, an army of 3D-printed Lego figures (one for every team member) and wall installations made from reclaimed materials and tools that continue the celebration of making."

"Blending everyday practicality with bold storytelling, the TMT HQ is a living, breathing space that adapts, educates, and inspires. It’s a place built not just to work in, but to push the future of construction forward", said Jon.

The products specified are from a range of brands including Material Source Studio Partners: Agua Fabrics, Autex Acoustics, Camira Fabrics, CDUK, Crown Paints, Forbo Flooring Systems, Sixteen3 Ltd, Smile Plastics, The Good Plastic Company.