When Tom Dixon first opened his King’s Cross Coal Office space in 2018 (a hybrid of shop, restaurant, office and exhibition space), his goal was to gather and connect different creative practices and brands under one roof, transforming the space through different design approaches.
The latest opening within the building does just this: Italian furniture company Porro just moved into the Coal Office with a new showroom. Featuring Porro’s architectural and bespoke furniture systems, the showroom is defined by a perfect contrast between the rough, industrial environment and the company’s pristine geometries, with the aim of creating a space that acts as a platform to showcase the products’ versatility and their custom potential, while also celebrating the craft at the heart of the designs.
Porro London showroom at the Coal Office
‘Storage’ wardrobe, designed by Piero Lissoni in collaboration with Porro’s design team
‘Innovation and the desire to break out of established paths have always been the driving forces of my family’s company,’ says Maria Porro, fourth generation and in charge of marketing and communications. ‘We feel the fascination of such a contemporary and intercultural place, a crossroads where art and creativity can thrive: we believe that by mingling different creative approaches and combining seemingly opposing worlds, linked by design quality as a common thread, we can develop incredible interior designs.’
The space, she explains, was intended as a blank canvas to initiate a conversation with the local creative community of architects and London-based customers, but it also shows opportunities to expand Porro’s reach through collaborations with local institutions such as Central Saint Martins, located across the square.
‘Materic’ table by Lissoni, ‘Romby’ chairs by GamFratesi, under a chandelier by Tom Dixon
The showroom makes its debut with some of Porro’s key designs, including the ‘Storage’ wardrobe, designed by Piero Lissoni in collaboration with the company’s design team, and a demonstration of its customisation skills and flexibility into a space. Furniture includes the ‘Lullaby’ armchair by Nicola Gallizia and the ‘Offshore’ dresser by Lissoni, welcoming visitors at the entrance. Also by Lissoni is the ‘Materic’ table, anchoring the dining area that also features GamFratesi’s ‘Romby’ chairs in natural ash.
At the back, Porro’s iconic shelving system, the ‘Load-it’ by Wolfgang Tolk, adds functionality to the narrow space – every area of the compact showroom is a fitting example of the bespoke quality of the company’s designs.
‘Load-it’ bookcase by Wolfgang Tolk
‘This space has been created to establish a dialogue with architects, interior designers and end customers who want to live and work in custom-designed spaces, where the artisan care for details matches the precision, reliability and quality of the industry,’ continues Porro.
‘Thanks to a revolutionary, state-of-the-art production facility that has eliminated warehouse stocks by working just-in-time with excellent results in terms of panel-cutting and veneer quality, customisation ability, waste reduction and sustainability, Porro offers solutions that are every time different, every time unique. This store is another proof of that: in it, the company’s systems, true complex but flexible architectures, design the spaces in a creative way in combination with the product collections, developed by leading designers.’
‘Lullaby’ armchair by Nicola Gallizia and ‘Offshore’ dresser by Lissoni
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
Porro London @ The Coal Office
1 Bagley Walk
Kings Cross
N1C 4PQ
-
Step inside a Hollywood Hills home where European design meets Californian easeLA studio Broad Project takes us inside its cinematic renovation of a 1960s Spanish Revival home in the Hollywood Hills
-
Wallpaper* checks in at Jnane Rumi: clarity, reflection and connectionIn the quiet tranquillity of Marrakech’s Palmeraie, Jnane Rumi evokes a rich and colourful tapestry of Moroccan art, craftsmanship and design
-
Cindy Sherman in Menorca: ‘She's decades ahead of social media and the construction of identity for the camera’‘Cindy Sherman: The Women’, its title a nod to an image-conscious 1930s Broadway hit, takes the American artist's carefully constructed, highly performative works to Hauser & Wirth Menorca
-
‘100 Years, 60 Designers, 1 Future’: 1882 Ltd plate auction supports ceramic craftThe ceramics brand’s founder Emily Johnson asked 60 artists, designers, musicians and architects – from John Pawson to Robbie Williams – to design plates, which will be auctioned to fund the next generation of craftspeople
-
‘Disabled people have always been here’: a new V&A show centres on disability in designCurator Natalie Kane takes us through five key exhibits from the London show, where design points the way to a more inclusive society
-
Malta’s London Design Biennale installation ‘reclaims death as a moment of reflection, not fear’Wallpaper* speaks with Andrew Borg Wirth, curator of Malta's installation, ‘URNA’, which reimagines cremation rituals
-
11 things that caught our eye at Clerkenwell Design Week 2025The Wallpaper* team bring you highlights from London’s Clerkenwell Design Week (20-22 May) – from public installations to product launches and a biscuit bar
-
‘R for Repair’ at London Design Festival displays broken objects, re-formedIn the second half of a two-part exhibition and as part of London Design Festival 2022, ‘R for Repair’ at the V&A displays broken objects, re-formed
-
‘Finding quality through the act of making’: Pearson Lloyd celebrates 25 years of designPearson Lloyd’s show ‘Change Making’ reflects on past designs from its archives, showcasing the influences on and evolution of the studio, from furniture design to the NHS
-
Tom Dixon marks his studio's 20 years with a show of design experimentsMushroom, cork, steel coral and more: Tom Dixon showcases an overview of his design experiments as he celebrates his practice's 20 years
-
Vitra unveils new London home in the Tramshed, ShoreditchLondon Design Festival 2022: after a year-long renovation, Vitra opens the door to its new showroom in the heart of Shoreditch
