Collaborative spaces they are designed with a range of options to meet different needs, from dedicated offices to conference rooms. While the artwork and decorative touches may evoke the location, the interiors are suitable just about anywhere — serviceable, but rather drab.
For Conduitlocated in Stratford, East London, Studio MULTI and Tabitha Isobel looked to history to create a rich shared workspace inspired by hospitality.
Once the home of the Stratford Locomotive Works, the design was to capture the same spirit of the Golden Age of Travel, with a nod to the leafy social hubs popular during the Edwardian era. “We started by looking at palm-lined courts and wanted it to feel like an oasis as soon as you walk in,” says Tabitha Organ, founder of Tabitha Isobel.
The materials in a range of combinations contrast with the concrete structure but still reinforce it. The front of the reception area is clad in polished volcanic ash tiles, while the ceramic floor features alternating brick and block formations that add interest underfoot.
The palette features rust, ocher and amber hues that reference the coppersmiths’ signature metal that was once common in the neighborhood. A hanging wooden canopy covers the cafe and becomes its own unique section within the open center.
Lush plants abound on the patio, which is the heart of the 36,597-square-foot space. Bouclé fabric-upholstered benches surround large custom planters. A variety of spots accommodate head-down work or group sessions, while clear cylindrical pendants float above.
The wood-framed meeting rooms painted a vivid jade line on one side of the perimeter. At the opposite end of the color and style spectrum, a Mad Men-esque conversation pit is more cocktail lounge than corporate club. Wrapped in a deep wine hue, built-in seating and overhead acoustic treatment complete the intimate setting.
The library balances openness with a more closed atmosphere. Translucent terracotta brick partitions let light filter through. The shelves hold a selection of books and sculptural objects curated to echo the warmth of the home. On the upper level, private offices are adjacent to back-to-back cubicles and informal lounges.
With an emphasis on the atrium and the interplay of texture, Conductor becomes immersive as the lighting seems to shift throughout the day, which for Organ is an unsurpassed comfort. “The sun moves through the glass and then falls through the plantings,” he notes. “Natural light makes the space magical.”
To learn more about the creative forces behind Conductor’s shared workspace, visit studiomulti.com and tabithaisobel.co.uk.
Photo by Jasper Frye.
