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.
INFORMATION
universaldesignstudio.com
theofficegroup.com
-
Frank Stephenson’s high-flying capsule design for HALO’s balloon-powered space flightsSpace start-up HALO promises zero-emission travel to the stratosphere in a futuristic viewing capsule shaped by Frank Stephenson Design
-
Back to Black: all eyes on film-maker Sam Taylor-JohnsonBack to Black cinematographer Polly Morgan tells Wallpaper* how a shared love of French New Wave close-ups brought Sam Taylor-Johnson’s Amy Winehouse biopic to life
-
Formafantasma’s new collection explores nostalgia and the queer identityFormafantasma present 'La Casa Dentro' at Fondazione ICA Milano (until 19 July 2024), where they draw inspiration from the domestic sphere and their own nostalgic perceptions of home
-
Modernist architecture: inspiration from across the globeModernist architecture has had a tremendous influence on today’s built environment, making these midcentury marvels some of the most closely studied 20th-century buildings; check back soon for new additions to our list
-
Timber-framed Wimbledon house is a minimalist, low-energy affairA new timber-framed Wimbledon house is designed to blend into its traditional surroundings with a neat brick façade, careful massing and pared back interiors
-
London Science Museum’s Energy Revolution gallery champions sustainable exhibition designThe Energy Revolution gallery opens at London’s Science Museum, exploring decarbonisation through sustainable exhibition design by Unknown Works
-
This South Downs house stands as a testament to the value of quiet refinementAt one with the landscape, a South Downs house uses elements of quintessential country villas and midcentury gems with modern technologies
-
Ash Tree House offers a contextual approach to a north London siteAsh Tree House by Edgley Design is a modern family home in a north London conservation area's backyard site
-
In memoriam: John Miller (1930-2024)We remember John Miller, an accomplished British architect and educator who advocated a quiet but rigorous modernism
-
River Wing at Clare College responds to its historic Cambridge heritageUniversity of Cambridge opens its new River Wing on Clare College Old Court, uniting modern technology with historic design
-
Camden Workshop offers flexible family space in a transformed north London warehouseCamden Workshop, a transformed industrial space in north London, was designed by architects McLaren Excell to combine residential space and a creative studio for its owners
