Bentley Motors’ historic headquarters in Crewe, UK has long been a symbol of the very best in luxurious British motoring. But just as the marque, founded in 1919, has evolved into the modern era with technically advanced, powerful and elegant luxury vehicles like the Mulsanne and Continental GT, the Crewe HQ has also recently gotten an award-winning revamp to reflect Bentley’s twin precepts of motoring tradition and contemporary design. Prior to World War II, Bentley did not supply complete cars but rather sold a rolling chassis to coachbuilders who finished the vehicle to the customer’s specifications at their own facility.

In 1946 the Crewe factory and Bentley’s new HQ opened its doors and the Bentley plant rolled out its first complete production motor car, the legendary Bentley Mark VI. Nowadays at Crewe the production facility is a state-of-the-art automotive atelier where world class craftsmen from coachbuilders to paint experts and cabinetmakers can be found working next to electronics specialists and other technicians who see to Bentley’s advanced vehicle systems. To bring the public spaces at Crewe into the new era as well, Bentley brought in leading British design agency FutureBrand to redesign the reception and entrance areas.

The exquisite materials which go into Bentley’s cars are showcased in new bespoke furniture featuring traditional Bentley wooden veneers and sumptuous leather. A handcrafted desk designed to echo the elegant lines of a Bentley car anchors the space. Trophies from Bentley’s magnificent motoring heritage are displayed alongside a cool new boutique for the Bentley Collection of luxury goods, clothing and accessories. The redesigned spaces were just declared “Overall Winner” at the 2012 Society of British Interior Design Awards, which are judged by a range of influential designers including Jimmy Choo.

If you want to take a tour of the factory, check out BentleyMotors.com.