DL/78

MSMR was appointed to develop the design for the flexible amenity space at 80 Charlotte Street, part of a mixed-use development by Derwent London. The double height space located at ground and lower ground level is intended to function primarily as collaborative work space for the Derwent London occupier community. In addition, it can be adapted to serve as a townhall for hosting presentations, talks and exhibitions. The 780 sqm floor space is equipped with a 58 sqm conference room, flexible meeting rooms, wellness room, catering facilities and a lounge space. A street level café, operated by Lantana, is open to the public.

Working closely with Derwent London, Knight Harwood and Arup, MSMR developed the interior concept and technical information for delivery of the fit out. The design embraces the exposed industrial aesthetic of the building and draws inspiration from Constructionist art and early Modernism, including the Maison de Verre, 1932, in Paris.

Curated layers of natural timber, fabric and ceramics are introduced to soften and enrich the space, creating a warm and welcoming environment. The form and feel of the various parts are consolidated to provide a cohesive language that unifies the whole space. Services are refined and exposed, or discretely integrated into bespoke joinery, allowing for a simple play of materials and a clarity of structural expression.

Collaborative engagement with the fabricators and craftsmen for several elements such as metalwork, joinery, stone and ceramics was fundamental to delivering the vision. The result was a honing of the architectural design informed by processes of manufacture and craft, which echoes ideas of Modernism and Constructionism.

Images: Jack Hobhouse photography