Bold Workplace Interior in London by Daytrip Studio

As working life has changed dramatically in the recent months, this London office for a media company is a perfect example of how workplace design can blend with home comforts to revitalise and encourage a new culture of creative talent.

Daytrip Studio was approached to create a new home for a media company in Clerkenwell, set over three floors of an 18th-Century industrial warehouse. From the outset, the designers were encouraged to create a bold and totally unique approach to workplace interiors. The brief also included the need for cellular, individual workspaces with only a small proportion of open-plan studio space, plus a complete floor for a flexible lounge and meeting rooms.

The design is a reinterpretation of strong feminine aesthetics – referencing 1950s kitchens, Hollywood glamour and Californian clubhouses. The interior displays a carefully orchestrated and daring approach to colour and contrast. There’s a considered mix of materials at play, ranging from lo-fi, industrial finishes like plywood, pigmented MDF and passivated zinc, contrasting with more luxe finishes such as high gloss lacquer, deep velvets and plush carpets in lipstick red and acid yellow.

The vibrant mix of furniture and joinery take their cues from different eras. There are plenty of eclectic influences – key Mid-century pieces along with seventies vintage finds, the Dieter Rams fibreglass armchairs, and contemporary meeting room furniture upholstered in classic fabrics from the 1920s. There is an inherent cinematic undertone that runs throughout this project as a nostalgic nod to the film industry. On closer inspection, this interior reveals an exemplary commitment to contemporary design and detailing. Consider me sold.

Read on for further insight into this project from Emily Potter, co-director at Daytrip.

+ How did you become involved with this project?

The client knew of our work, in particular they love a cocktail bar we designed, Oriole. By way of an introduction, Daytrip was invited to space plan the proposed floor plates. The client liked our approach as it reimagined the spaces to bring areas of openness, community and intimacy.

+ What’s your favourite thing about this project?

The boldness of colour and how it is applied to materials: Acid yellow carpet, ‘Hollywood’ red-stained veneer, light pink utilitarian tiles, high gloss olive green lacquer and velvet to match. It is a lively and emotive palette, set alongside raw, self-finished materials like passivated metal, birch ply, brick, natural timber and concrete.

+ What was the most challenging aspect of bringing this project to life? Can you tell us about any obstacles you encountered and how did you overcome them?

 One of the more complex aspects of the brief was the need for privacy and containment with cellular offices, but wanting to feel open-plan and communal. We achieved a balance using large glazed partitions that have a diffused effect to obscure views but allow light and a feeling of openness. The space planning exercise involved careful plotting of partitions to avoid corridor effects in the volumes between the private offices. We also remodelled the plumbing to relocate kitchen areas to more central locations to encourage communal moments.

+ What aspect of this project are you most proud of?

We especially like the atmosphere of calmness and subtleties of texture and contrast that you discover as you spend time in the space. The top floor lounge is magical and ever-changing as sunlight casts beautiful shadows through the sheer curtains onto the patterns of the furniture. In the evening dusk it feels warm and enveloping.

+ Would you have done anything differently?

The project had few limitations, we had a brilliantly enthusiastic and positive client who encourage exciting design. In light of Covid-19, perhaps we should have spaced the desks further apart as the capacity will now need to change.

+ Are there any other interesting facts you could share with us?

Furniture items were all tested in person by Daytrip and a designated member of staff from the client team who had to consider comfort levels for long workshop type meetings and if sofas were suitable for power napping!
The wall lights come from Australia, supplied by Volker Haug!