Co-working

Subterms

    More stories

    • 138 Shares199 Views

      in Rooms

      Ten sleek co-working spaces that provide an escape from home working

      by

      As the world starts emerging from coronavirus lockdowns and many people begin returning to offices and shared workplaces, we have rounded up 10 co-working spaces for our latest lookbook.

      Whether a freelancer, small start-up or larger business, co-working offices can be a convenient and flexible solution for those looking to work in a collaborative environment.
      These 10 co-working sites combine domestic features such as cosy armchairs and sofas with sophisticated work areas furnished with modern desks, private partitions and well-equipped facilities.
      The co-working spaces also provide employees with networking opportunities, spots to socialise in, places to dine and even areas to exercise.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing bedrooms with smart storage solutions, residences with vaulted ceilings, and peaceful holiday home interiors.

      Photo is by Nikolas KoenigNeueHouse Bradbury, US, by DesignAgency
      Canadian studio DesignAgency added “graceful flourishes” such as linen drapes, soft furnishings and rose-coloured stools to NeueHouse’s co-working location in Downtown Los Angeles (above and top).
      While a number of the building’s existing elements were preserved including the brick fireplaces and large oak-framed windows, the studio added Versailles parquet flooring to give the workspaces a more contemporary look.
      Find out more about NeueHouse Bradbury ›
      Photo is by Jeroen VerrechtFosbury & Sons Boitsfort, Belgium, by Going East
      Belgian interior design studio Going East took cues from the original building’s modernist style to create this space for co-working provider Fosbury & Sons.
      Designed to look more like a residential home than an office, the 7,000 square-metre workplace in Brussels has comfortable leather seating, marble tables and a statement chandelier that hangs above the central staircase.
      Find out more about Fosbury & Sons Boitsfort ›
      Image is courtesy of The WingThe Wing Brooklyn, US, by Chiara De Rege
      The third site created by female co-working club The Wing, this cosy space in the Dumbo area of New York was designed by Chiara De Rege.
      De Rege designed the social areas to feel like living rooms, complete with an eclectic range of chairs and sofas in contrasting pastel and bold tones. The walls of the office spaces were tinted with the company’s “wing pink” colour while pale oak flooring was used to add warmth.
      Find out more about The Wing Brooklyn ›
      Photo is by Francisco NoguieraFosbury & Sons Amsterdam, the Netherlands, by Going East
      Designed by Belgian studio Going East, this Fosbury & Sons co-working space is set within a converted 19th-century hospital overlooking Amsterdam’s Prinsengracht canal.
      The studio aimed to create an upscale ambience throughout the space, while one of the building’s operating theatres was transformed into a dramatic boardroom with a marble-topped table surrounded by puffy, tan-coloured chairs.
      Find out more about Fosbury & Sons Amsterdam ›
      Photo is by Luis BeltranCabinette, Spain, by Masquespacio
      Retro furniture and pastel colours were used to create a Wes Anderson-like feel in this whimsical co-working office designed by Spanish studio Masquespacio in Valencia.
      Aimed at creative millennials, Cabinette has quirky elements such as silver curtains and chintzy stools. The studio used a light blue colour throughout the different office areas to add a sense of cohesion.
      Find out more about Cabinette ›
      Photo is courtesy of The Office GroupDouglas House, UK, by Note Design Studio
      Stockholm-based firm Note Design Studio contrasted neutral colours like ochre with bright furniture including armchairs in royal blue hues to to create invigorating spaces for  the Douglas House co-working members club.
      Spanning six floors, Douglas House by The Office Group has space for 700 to work along side a plant-filled chill out room, gym, cafe and a special room for nursing mothers.
      Find out more about Douglas House ›
      Photo is by Wai Ming NgReplica House Studios, UK, by Weston, Surman & Deane
      British studio Weston, Surman & Deane transformed a Victorian church in north London into a bright and colourful open-plan workspace that doubles as the architecture studio’s own office.
      To reference the church’s original use, the studio added diamond-patterned panes of stained glass in muted green, blue, orange and red colours above the main staircase and between the beams of the gabled roof.
      Find out more about Replica House Studios ›
      Photo is by Mariell Lind HansenUrban HQ, Ireland, by Kingston Lafferty Design
      Interiors studio Kingston Lafferty Design aimed to create warm and welcoming interiors for this eight-storey co-working office in Dublin.
      The studio used a palette of inviting materials, including stone, leather, slatted wood, velvet and brass, to create the homely atmosphere, with each floor designed to have a distinctive feel.
      Find out more about Urban HQ ›
      Photo is by Joe FletcherCanopy Jackson Square, US, by Yves Behar, Amir Mortazavi and Steve Mohebi
      Located in San Francisco’s downtown area, Canopy Jackson Square is a shared workspace created by designers Yves Behar, Amir Mortazavi and Steve Mohebi.
      A dark green colour palette and blackened wood flooring was used to create a decadent atmosphere in the private rooms while the public spaces are adorned with lighter green and pink tones.
      Find out more about Canopy Jackson Square ›
      Photo is by Nacasa & PartnersDigital Garage, Japan, by Snøhetta
      Lengthy ribbons of cedarwood form the desk surfaces and benches of this co-working space in Tokyo, which was created for a Japanese technology company by architecture firm Snøhetta.
      Above the desk, the studio added 534 pendant lights that create dazzling patterns when switched on. Chairs and stools in the same dark tone of the floor make up the rest of the furnishing in the stripped-back space.
      Find out more about Digital Garage ›
      This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing homes centred around interior courtyards, kitchen extensions and interiors by Ukranian designers.

      Read more: More

    • 125 Shares199 Views

      in Rooms

      Roz Barr designs co-working club Bureau in Greenwich Design District

      by

      Roz Barr Architects has designed a co-working members’ club for London’s new design district, featuring a bright red salon, stairs you can sit on, and a workspace that doubles as a dinner table.

      Bureau offers a range of co-working and social spaces designed specifically for those working in the creative industries.
      It occupies two buildings in the recently opened Greenwich Design District: the concrete-framed D1 designed by Architecture 00 and the ripple-facaded C3 designed by HNNA.
      The ground-floor restaurant functions as a meeting space. Photo is by Ruth WardArchitect Roz Barr and her London-based team designed a series of playful interiors for Bureau, hoping to create a distinct identity that extends across both buildings.
      The buildings’ raw structures are left exposed but contrasted by bold flashes of colour, so that spaces feel characterful but open to adaptation. Bureau describes them as “elegantly utilitarian”.

      “The brief we developed was about offering a home for creatives, which allowed them to bring their own identity to how they occupied the spaces,” said Barr.
      “A language of elements and materials form a rhythm between both buildings,” she told Dezeen.
      Members have access to shared facilities including meeting rooms and phone booths. Photo is by Ruth WardThe C3 spaces were the first to open, as part of the Greenwich Design District’s official launch in September.
      Occupying four floors, the offer here includes private studios, a mix of fixed and hot-desk workspaces, plus a range of shared facilities that include a restaurant, a lounge, meeting rooms and phone booths.
      The salon is a red-toned lounge that doubles as an events space. Photo is by Joe HowardThe recent addition of D1 broadens the variety of space available. Its five floors include both indoor and outdoor workspaces, plus flexible spaces that can be used for a variety of events and group activities.
      In both buildings, the ground floor is designed to offer spaces where members can come together and share ideas.
      C3’s all-red salon can host talks and film screenings, while the restaurant functions as a gathering space.
      A long table offers opportunities for group collaboration or dining events. Photo is by Alex UptonMeanwhile, D1’s ground floor contains a 14-metre-long table that can be used for group collaboration or dining events.
      D1 also includes a space known as the forum, a lounge that can also be used for presentations. A staircase-like furniture element made from recycled plastic creates casual tiered seating.

      London’s Design District officially opens to the public

      “We understood we were creating a place for the creative industries to work, meet and relax,” said Barr.
      “Bureau is the centre of design district, so it was seen as a place where members of the community would join and form a sort of collective.”
      Felt screens help to improve the acoustics. Photo is by Alex UptonMaterial finishes throughout the interiors would be more typically be found in industrial workshops than offices, emphasising the creative nature of Bureau’s members.
      Floors are either bare concrete or covered in colourful marmoleum, while wall finishes include cement boards and corrugated metal, and perforated metal screens function as space dividers.
      Perforated metal screens allow light to filter through. Photo is by Ruth WardThese details are softened by textiles and lighting. Recurring elements includes globe lighting pendants, floor-to-ceiling curtains and digitally printed carpets and rugs.
      “We used a palette of materials that worked across both buildings, using metal stud walls that were clad in perforated metal sheets, acoustic felt, and doors and tables clad in furniture linoleum,” said Barr.
      “This language offers a soft backdrop for users to personalise however they want.”
      The terraces of D1 allow for outdoor working. Photo is by Alex UptonBarr chose contemporary furniture designs to accompany the custom elements, with designs from the likes of Richard Lampert and Philippe Malouin.
      With so many external terraces in D1, Hay’s Palissade outdoor furniture, designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, features both inside and out.
      “As ever, flexibility is key,” added Barr. “For larger events, rugs can be rolled up and furniture moved out onto the terraces.”
      Bureau occupies two buildings in the Greenwich Design District. Photo is by Taran WilkhuGreenwich Design District is London’s first dedicated design district.
      It includes 16 new buildings, including a transparent bubble-shaped canteen designed by Selgacano and an entrance building by David Kohn Architects with the words “design district” spelled out on the roof.
      Created by developer Knight Dragon, the district offers workspace for up to 1,800 people and a range of specialist facilities.
      Bureau members have access to other facilities in the design district, including photography studios, post-production suites, a sound studio and a pottery workshop.
      Photography is by Alex Upton, Joe Howard, Ruth Ward and Taran Wilkhu.

      Read more: More

    • 163 Shares169 Views

      in Rooms

      The Malin is designed as a vibrant but homely New York co-working space

      by

      The Malin is a design-led co-working space in Manhattan that blends contemporary colours and textures with original architectural elements that are “quintessential to the iconic Soho loft-style”.

      Located at 32 Mercer Street in New York City, the workspace’s interior design was led by Jordan Trinci-Lyne and Jean Morana, in collaboration with Fettle Design.
      The Malin was designed with homely touchesDescribed as having an “adaptable floor plan”, The Malin is made up of 38 individual desks as well as a library, three office spaces, three conference rooms, four booths reserved for video calls and various other meeting areas, including a barista kitchen.
      According to its designers, the co-working space intends to maintain the building’s traditional elements – such as existing columns, high ceilings and large windows – and combine them with vibrant colour and material palettes that are designed to reflect the creativity of its members.
      Colour and texture are blended with pared-back, original elements”Architecturally, we kept several things intact that are quintessential to the iconic Soho loft-style,” The Malin co-founder Ciaran McGuigan told Dezeen.

      “The space is very open, with tons of natural light that is filtered throughout. We also incorporated custom arched doorways in solid oak and glass, which are a nod to windows that are typical to buildings in the neighbourhood.”
      White walls and hardwood floors form the backdrop of the workspaceFamiliar white walls and hardwood floors form the backdrop of the workspace, which is dressed with more colourful accents such as low-slung bouclé seating arranged in vibrant clusters, as well as touches of Calico Wallpaper.
      McGuigan explained that each of The Malin’s areas was led by “the psychology of colour, designed to inspire our members’ best work”.
      Blue-on-blue tones were chosen for the solitary libraryCalming, blue-on-blue tones were chosen for the library, which was designed as a refuge for silent work, while the remaining areas favour a palette of bright, bold and saturated hues that stand out against their neutral backdrop.
      “Energy equals productivity and that’s a fundamental output we want the design to facilitate,” said McGuigan. “Elevated materials like mohair, leather, and rare marble were included as an aspirational touch to contrast the typical work-from-home experience.”

      Grzywinski+Pons combines hotel and co-working in Buckle Street Studios

      Individual desks framed by Eames Soft Pad office chairs are crafted from solid oak and are subtly separated from each other with recycled crystal dividers.
      Pared-back, diner-style pendant lights are suspended above plump, emerald green booth-like sofas, which make up an informal space for The Malin’s members to gather.
      Individual desks are separated by recycled crystal dividersA curated art collection decorates the walls, while design elements from brands such as Flos and Orior – another of McGuigan’s ventures – also feature in the space. Charging outlets are positioned close to every piece of custom furniture to create an accessible working environment.
      The team explained that The Malin was created to encourage its members to return to a public workplace in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, balancing quieter areas with those built for socialising within an eclectic interior design.
      “It has all the functionality of an office space, but with the comfort of a home,” said McGuigan.
      Pendant lights are suspended above plump seatingThe Malin opened in October 2021, joining a host of other colourful co-working spaces around the world. These include Note Design Studio’s Douglas House, an office building in London with contrasting bright hues; and Spatial – a Montreal mint green and burgundy co-working space by Ivy Studio that features a zinc reception desk with a rainbow-coloured finish.
      The photography is by Thomas Loof.

      Read more: More

    • 113 Shares169 Views

      in Rooms

      Laurent Troost turns abandoned Brazilian building into co-working venue

      by

      Workspaces look upon a mini jungle in this 125-year-old brick building in Manaus, Brazil, which has been thoughtfully revitalised by design studio Laurent Troost Architectures.Called the Cassina Innovation House, the project entailed the adaptive reuse of a dilapidated historic structure in Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas.

      Cassina Innovation House sits in a 125-year-old building
      The building, which now serves as a co-working venue, is located in an emerging digital district within the city. Its name was selected through a public vote organized by the municipality, which owns the building.
      Its original structure was constructed in the late 1890s to house the luxurious Hotel Cassina, owned by an Italian man named Andrea Cassina.

      The building was abandoned and taken over by vegetation

      After a financial crisis devastated the region, the building became a spot for gambling and prostitution called Cabaré Chinelo.
      It closed around 1960 and began to deteriorate, according to local firm Laurent Troost Architectures.

      Laurent Troost Architectures inserted a prefabricated steel structure
      Over the decades, the interior crumbled and vegetation overtook the building, resulting in a striking visual image that the architect wanted to honour in some way.
      Troost said that artists and designers have long been intrigued by ruins, citing figures such as Piranesi, Gordon Matts-Clark and Robert Smithson.

      Greenery and exposed walls evoke the building’s crumbling grandeur
      “The beauty of the ruin’s imperfection raises interest and questions, and invites reflection on the past and the action of time and man in the city – and on heritage buildings in general,” the architect said.
      The team opted to preserve the building’s exterior brick walls, along with the remaining foundation walls made of stone. It decided to reconstruct the interior using a prefabricated steel system, and to add a glazed volume atop the roof.

      The staircase is open to the sky
      The building now totals 1,586 square metres, spread across four levels.
      The facades were cleaned, and great care was taken to preserve original elements such as a plaster made of pigment from red sandstone powder. On the eastern elevation, new shading devices help mitigate solar heat gain.

      Laurent Troost Architects folds weathered steel roof over concrete house in Brazilian Amazon

      “The east facade, hit by the rising sun, has received contemporary frames with tempered glass fins to create a ventilated, double-skin facade that keeps the heat out,” the studio said.

      Glazed walls overlook the gardens
      Inside, the team used the steel system to form new floors and a stairwell, along with space for an elevator. The system stands independent from the building’s outer shell.
      “We have basically constructed a squared tower with four new columns,” Troost told Dezeen. “The perimeter beams of our structure have allowed us to anchor the existing facades to avoid the collapse towards the street.”

      There are a variety of co-working spaces available
      The metal system was prefabricated off-site, which sped up the project timeline.
      Moreover, it reduced the number of on-site construction workers, which helped with social distancing – an important factor given that Manaus was hit hard by the coronavirus, the studio said.

      Greenery is visible through areas of glazing
      A tropical garden was planted in a triple-height space just inside the front door.
      “The building houses an exuberant garden behind the main facade, creating its very own microclimate,” the team said. “A walkway crosses the void over the garden, reminding one of Manaus’s intrinsic reason for being: the Amazon rainforest.”

      There are desks and meeting rooms in the offices
      Adjoining the stairs are open rooms with glazed walls that provide views of the interior garden. A range of flexible spaces can be found within the building, including work zones, meeting rooms and training areas.
      The rooftop addition holds a restaurant with sweeping views of the city’s historic centre and the Rio Negro. Large roof overhangs clad in ipe wood – also known as Brazilian walnut – help shade the structure.

      An overhanging roof shades the rooftop restaurant
      The team noted that the building’s design allows for physical distancing and the circulation of fresh air, which will remain important considerations in our post-pandemic world.
      Born in Brussels, Laurent Troost has worked in various countries and taught at several Brazilian universities.
      Other projects by his studio include Casa Campinarana in Manaus, which won a 2019 Dezeen Award for Rural House of the Year. The concrete house features outdoor living areas and a swimming pool that are elevated above the forested surroundings.
      Photography is by Joana França.
      Project credits:
      Contractor: Manaus MunicipalityArchitect-in-charge: Laurent TroostArchitecture team: Rejane Gaston, Juliana Leal, Nayara Mello, Erick Saraiva, Eloisa Serrão, Victor Marques, Marcelo Costa, Ingrid Maranhão, Eduardo Corrêa, Amanda Perreira, Fernanda Martins, Kauã MendesRestoration: Landa BernardoHistory consultants: Centro Cultural Reunidos, Fábio Augusto de Carvalho PedrosaArchaeology: Margaret Cerqueira, Vanessa BeneditoInteriors: Rejane Gaston, Juliana LealLighting: Juliana LealVisual communication: Elter BritoLandscape: Nayara Mello, Hana Eto GallConstruction: Biapó Constutora and MCA EngenhariaSteel structure: Marco Antônio de OliveiraConcrete structure: MPa Engenharia EstruturalHVAC: LR EngenhariaLightning protection system: Raimundo OnetyDatas CCTV electrical: Alah Emir VeronezHydraulics: Gerson Arantes Consultoria e EngenhariaFire protection system: Andrey Costa Barbosa

      Read more: More

    • 175 Shares199 Views

      in Rooms

      Note Design Studio creates colourful interiors to “break the grid” of 1930s office building

      by

      Stockholm-based Note Design Studio used neutral colours and contrasting bright hues to reinvigorate the interiors of the Douglas House office building in London.Note Design Studio designed the Douglas House office space, which has 700 desks spread over six floors, for office developer The Office Group (TOG). It had previously designed the Summit House property for the company.

      Note Design Studio used natural materials and bright colours for the interiors of Douglas House
      The Swedish studio aimed to “break the grid” of the 14,235-square-metre 1930s office building, which has a vertical layout and red brick-facade.
      “As a building, Douglas House is very ‘rational’ in its architecture,” designer Johannes Carlström told Dezeen. “Even though it stretches quite far horizontally, it was vertical in its structure and spatial program.”

      Pieces by contemporary design brands are used throughout the space

      “We realised early that we wanted to ‘break the grid’ of the building and deliver an interior less predictable than what is expected from the industrial appearance of the facade,” he added.
      “That also related to a more abstract idea about breaking the conformity of our everyday lives, to design a place that actually shakes you up a bit when entering for your workday.”

      The studio focused on how the space would make users feel
      While many office spaces are designed to enhance productivity, Note Design Studio said its focus for Douglas House was more on creating the right feeling and mood.
      To create a space that would, in the words of the studio, bring a “gentle punch” to office design, it used contrasting colours and materials throughout the space.
      “The palette ranges from deep ochres to brisk light blues, calm chalk tones, popping reds and vivid blues,” Carlström said.

      Meeting rooms are painted in calm blue nuances
      The studio aimed to keep as much of the original details as possible but had to replace a lot of materials that were in poor condition. The original wooden floors, however, were lifted, renovated and put back into place.
      “We have worked with giving the building a more defined character by using materials that will live long together with the building itself,” Carlström said.

      A curvilinear glass wall connects the main spaces and adds privacy to meeting rooms
      A curvilinear wall made from glass blocks has been added to the ground floor to connects its three main public spaces.

      Note Design Studio includes recharge room in central London co-working space for TOG

      “It stretches through the whole building giving spatial richness to the promenade between different functions of the ground floor as well as a vivid backdrop enhanced by the activity of the meeting rooms that are blurred through the glass blocks,” Carlström explained.
      “The curve also creates unique footprints for the meeting rooms and the three communal spaces, which with a straight wall would have been more or less identical to one another in terms of space.”

      Materials such as ceramic tiles were chosen for their durability
      Other materials used for the project were chosen for their durability, as office buildings experience extensive wear and tear, and their reusability. They include steel, glass and ceramic tiles, as well as 100 per cent recyclable Tarkett IQ plastic wall and floor coverings.
      Douglas House was also given solar panels and a green biodiverse roof to further enhance its sustainability credentials.

      The Douglas House reception features a desk clad in Ettore Sottsass’ veneer
      Note Design Studio also added a number of design touches to the interior, including a reception desk in Ettore Sottsass veneer for Alpi in a striking blue-grey colour, and pieces from brands including Artrex and Muller van Severen in bright hues.
      Newly commissioned pieces from artists and designers including Jenny Nordberg, Jochen Holz, Wang & Söderström, Philipp Schenk-Mischke, James Shaw, Mijo Studio and Studio Furthermore also fill the building.

      Pale blue chairs contrast beige tiles and dark wood
      Douglas House also includes an “oxygen room” – a plant-filled space where the idea is that workers can relax and connect with nature, the “recharge room”, gym, cafe and a mothers’ room which is dedicated to nursing mothers.
      “We have worked with the whole building and designed small or big things on every square metre basically,” Carlström said. “A lot of the office spaces are done in the same manner, but the public and communal spaces all have their unique design attributes.”

      Earthy, warm hues create a welcoming feel
      Douglas House has 700 desks for over 1,000 employees and opened in November 2020. Note Design Studio thinks the final design has succeeded in creating a different kind of office space.
      “From our point of view it differs on many levels – it has a lot more expression than you normally see in an office space, a diversity of tempos and functions allowing people to choose what suits them best that specific day,” Carlström said.
      Among the studio’s other recent projects are the pastel-coloured Mantelpiece Loft interiors in Stockholm and a reusable trade fair stand for Vestre.
      Photography is courtesy of The Office Group.

      Read more: More

    • 100 Shares189 Views

      in Rooms

      Threefold Architects unveils a model for post-Covid co-working

      by

      Threefold Architects has completed Paddington Works, a co-working and events space in London that was designed around wellness principles.Paddington Works combines a mix of spaces that include private studios, shared co-working spaces, meeting rooms and a multi-purpose auditorium, all arranged over two storeys.

      Paddington Works includes a mix of private studios and shared workspaces
      Workspaces are designed to be agile, providing different spaces to suit various activities. There are also a range of health-conscious building services, such as fresh air filtration and adaptive lighting systems.
      At a time when many co-working offices are trying to adjust to the changes in work habits prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic, this project offers a model for the future of shared workspaces.

      Wellness principles influenced the layout, material choices and building systems

      “I think co-working spaces could thrive if they adapt following the pandemic,” said Matt Driscoll, one of the three co-founders of Threefold Architects.
      “So much time spent working at home has brought into sharp focus the simple things we take for granted that are vital to our wellbeing,” he told Dezeen.
      “A moment to gaze out the window, an escape from Zoom for a walk in the park, impromptu chats with our neighbours; we will attribute far greater importance to these small things.”

      Spaces incorporate fresh air filtration and adaptive lighting systems
      Paddington Works builds on Threefold’s research into how incorporating wellness principles into architecture can create healthier and happier environments, which has previously fed into workspace designs for Airbnb and Pocket Living.
      These principles were central to the design brief, even though Paddington Works was designed long before the pandemic.

      Threefold Architects completes Airbnb’s latest London office

      The air circulation system, which includes anti-viral filtration, is designed to bring 25 per cent more fresh air into the building than is typical.
      Meanwhile the lighting system uses intelligent LEDs to adjust the colour temperature of the light throughout the day, to suit circadian rhythms.

      The workspaces are divided into clusters
      The layout of the interior, organised over two storeys, was also designed with occupants in mind. Spaces are divided up into clusters to allow small communities to form within the building.
      Each cluster has its meeting rooms and breakout spaces, organised around a kitchen and social space.
      “I think many of the principles of wellness are intuitive to architects – providing good natural light, visual amenity, excellent acoustics, and air quality,” said Drisscoll.

      Each cluster has its own meeting rooms and breakout spaces
      “Beyond how the spaces feel, we are also interested in how they will be used and how people move around them and interact with each other,” he continued.
      “There should be quiet places to be alone, vibrant places to collaborate, and everything in between. We’ve always put generous social spaces at the heart of our schemes, for people to come together in their downtime, spaces to support, create and promote a culture within a business.”

      A flexible auditorium can be used for both events and casual working
      At the heart of the scheme is a flexible auditorium, designed as a huge set of wooden steps. The space can be used to host lectures, screenings and presentations, but it can also be a day-to-day informal work or meeting space.
      Each step incorporates a series of pull-out “drawer desks”, which can be used for laptops or notebooks. There are also power points for charging devices.
      “It doubles as a staircase between the levels and becomes a type of forum, a public space within the building,” explained Drisscoll.

      The materials palette includes rough-sawn oak and terrazzo
      The materials palette responds to the industrial heritage of the Paddington Basin area, with steel fabrications that recall the structure of the Brunel-designed train station. These are paired with textural materials like rough-sawn oak and terrazzo.
      Many of the industrial elements of the design are concealed, for instance, perforated metal screens cover the air filtration units.

      Steel fabrications reference the area’s industrial heritage
      Paddington Works is a joint venture between co-working operator Space Paddington and Westminster Council, aimed at startups in the creative and technology industries.
      As a result of its wellness-focused design, the building was able to adopt social distancing and hygiene measures brought in by the pandemic. Contactless hand sanitisers and anti-microbial fittings were among features already included in the design.
      Drisscoll believes co-working spaces like this one will continue to become more common in the future, as companies look to adopt more flexible working models for their staff.

      Paddington Works is aimed at startups in the creative and technology industries
      “I think flexible working is here to stay,” he said. “Previously reticent organisations have seen it can work and work well; people enjoy more control of what they do.”
      “We may see a trend towards decentralisation – large organisations with acres of office and fields of desks could shift towards smaller workplaces,” he added.
      “This could see an increase in local work hubs, with co-working spaces in residential areas providing excellent places for work closer to home, and spaces close to major transport hubs allowing people to easily travel to from distance to get together.”
      Photography is by Charles Hosea.

      Read more: More