- Architects: Trellik Design Studio
- Area: 124 m²
- Year: 2021
- Photographs:Ed Dabney, Mariell Lind Hansen
- Location: London, United Kingdoom
The One and a Half Co-Working Studio, a project by Trellik Design Studio, exemplifies the innovative and community-focused approach of modern architecture. This London-based architecture practice transformed a former photography agent’s office into a versatile space that serves as a co-working studio, maker’s workshop, and café, fostering the creative community of East London.
The building, located in De Beauvoir, East London, retains the charm of its original Victorian structure. Trellik Design Studio restored and exposed the original timber rafters, added new roofing for insulation purposes, and introduced skylights to bring natural light into what was once a dark and deep plan.
The structure comprises three floors and a mezzanine level, each designed for different functions like work, meetings, creative studio activities, and utilities. Notably, the entrance opens to a multi-functional café and events area, leading down to a sunken maker’s workshop. This setup is currently used as a natural fabric dye atelier. The building also includes a communal kitchen, gender-neutral toilets, and a coat store. The original stairs have been preserved and painted cobalt blue, providing an uplifting color accent.
The private co-workspaces, situated on the first and second floors, are secured separately from the public areas. The design studio used this project as an opportunity to experiment with recycled materials, such as acoustic PET felt panels on the ceilings and walls, dampening sound and serving as pin-up walls. The commitment to material reuse is further seen in the retained original timber flooring and the repurposing of old floor joists for shelves.
Trellik Design Studio collaborated with local suppliers to present a calm material and textural palette throughout the space. The studio features environmentally friendly furniture, including algae pendant lights made of seaweed and glass lamp pendants made from crushed wine bottles. A significant collaboration with lighting designer Hortense Duthilleux led to the creation of a unique Mirror Halo Light, enhancing natural light reflection.
One and A Half Studios offers an energetic and collaborative working environment with a variety of spaces that foster different viewpoints and connections. The generous desk spaces and open plan layout encourage the building of strong relationships among tenants, including photographers, animators, graphic designers, architects, and a public relations studio. This project epitomizes Trellik Design Studio’s dynamic approach to architecture, creating spaces that actively serve and support creative communities.
