The Office Group’s latest venue, 210 Euston Road, not only marks the opening of a fresh, modern new workspace for London, one that elegantly combines style, functionality and craft, it also flags the landmark 40th location for the flexible office architecture specialist, which has grown tremendously and gained a loyal following since its inception in 2004. Designed by Universal Design Studio, the building is the first launch from The Office Group (TOG) since the Covid pandemic started and hails a new era for co-working.
Spanning 69,000sq ft, the seven-floor building is one of TOG’s largest venues. It takes up the building from the Aga Khan Foundation (after the latter’s move to King’s Cross), and Universal Design Studio’s redesign emphasises contemporary working habits and patterns. There are some 150 seats for individual workstations; smaller office units for teams; as well as larger workspaces that companies can take over and adapt to their needs. Flexibility is the name of the game here, as TOG tackles hybrid working trends and the workforce’s post-pandemic needs.
Opening its doors to the public, 210 Euston Road is in good company. UCL and the Wellcome Trust are just two of the major hubs of learning nearby, while Google and Facebook are also in this part of London – making TOG part of the vibrant area’s established Knowledge Quarter. The design took its cues from its environment.
‘We studied the architecture of the buildings in the Knowledge Quarter (the British Museum, Royal College of Physicians and UCL) and tried to disseminate some of these learnings into our design. We wanted the design to reference an institution, without being institutional. One of the hero points of the design references the traditional reading room. To echo this, we created a hidden co-working lounge – a space that cannot be seen from the outside – and its hidden nature lends the feeling [that it is a] privilege to be there. Similarly, institutions of this kind have ample space for public interaction. At 210 Euston Road, everyone has access to the front half of the building, which hosts a café, a large reception and a residency space. These ideas embody a contemporary institute, providing a space to exchange knowledge and ideas while naturally fostering collaboration,’ says Universal Design Studio’s associate directory Carly Sweeney.
The designers aimed for a ‘timeless’ interior, and combined oak wood, fine detailing, strategic use of colour and plenty of planting to ensure the space feels comfortable, functional and welcoming – a place users will look forward to returning to. §
