Co-working spacesdesigned with a range of options to meet different needs, from dedicated desks to conference rooms. While the artwork and decorative touches may be reminiscent of a place, the interiors fit almost anywhere—they’re functional, but rather boring.
BecauseThe operatorStratford, East London,Studio MULTIagainTheir name is Isobellook to history to create an improved public workplace that promotes hospitality.
Once home to the Stratford Locomotive Works, the plan was to capture the same spirit of the Golden Age of Travel, with a nod to the leafy public spaces popular in the Edwardian era. “We started by looking at the palm courts, and we wanted it to feel like a relaxing place as soon as you walk in,” said Tabitha Organ, founder of Tabitha Isobel.
The elements in the range of combinations are different, yet still enhance, the concrete structure. The front of the reception desk is clad in glazed volcanic ash tiles, while the ceramic flooring combines a brick texture with alternating blocks that add interest underfoot.
The palette includes rust, ocher, and amber hues that reference the signature metal of coppersmiths that were common in the area. A suspended wooden canopy covers the cafe and becomes its distinctive part within the open center.
Green plants abound in the atrium, which is the heart of the 36,597-square-foot space. Benches upholstered in bouclé fabric surround large custom bowls. Various spots accommodate sessions of vertical or group work, while cylindrical pendants float above.
The wood-framed meeting rooms are painted a bold jade-tone stripe on one side of the perimeter. At the other end of the color and style spectrum, the Mad Men-esque heated chat room is more of a cocktail lounge than a corporate club. Covered in a deep wine tint, upholstered seats and acoustic treatment above complete the intimate setting.
The library balances openness and closedness. The translucent parts of the terracotta brick let the light filter through. The shelves hold a selection of books and sculptures chosen to echo the warmth of the home. On the upper level, private offices are built around back-to-back booths and informal lounges.
By emphasizing the atrium and the interaction of textures, the Conductor is immersed as the light seems to change throughout the day, which for the Organ is an incomparable beauty. “The sun goes through the glass and goes through the plants,” he notes. “Natural light makes a place magical.”
To learn more about the creative forces behind the Conductor public workplace, visit studiomulti.com and tabithaisobel.co.uk.
Photo by Jasper Fry.
