A beautiful versatile space

East Photographic - an artist agent and production company - was growing, however their office space was not conducive to the development of their goals. Working primarily with photographers, filmmakers and set designers in the advertising and fashion sector, their vision was to be hosts in the creative process, offering a space where various parties could meet and collaborate on projects.

They had bought an off-plan space in Dalston, east London, in an unremarkable development building with a challenging floor plan. They needed to solve the problem of creating a new exciting fit-out that would address their working methods and resonate with their identity.

The client’s detailed brief indicated a desire to create a “beautiful versatile space” where artistic collaborations could be fostered and nurtured. They were not looking to make a polished corporate statement with grandiose design, rather they wished to develop a space that was about creativity and collaboration and that would facilitate and display the work being created.

Voss Architects, as client contact and design lead in Basel, formed a collaborative team to solve their problem. Max Fordham worked on the complex building services systems. They also developed the lighting and acoustic strategy for the project. Pierre Maré Architect’s role was to create the material, technical and construction qualities and oversee the project to completion on site. The client was very hands-on and provided input and support throughout the process.

East Photographic were keen to keep as much of the existing building shell as possible to minimise costs on finishes and retain the volume of the space. We cleaned up the concrete columns and internal masonry walls to provide low tech and visually tactile surfaces. We toned down the reflective ceiling insulation with a softer grey paint finish that resonated with a new concrete floor.

We placed most of the building services directly below the newly painted ceiling, strictly controlling their location and sequencing. We inserted a few internal partitions within the cleaned-up building shell to define the various activities and hang art. Each space has floating wood fibre acoustic ceilings to control sound qualities and create intimate areas. The material tones with the concrete block walls and in situ concrete columns. The ceiling and floor planes are of a slightly cooler grey to contrast with the walls and columns. We inserted joinery units constructed with plywood and finished in an oak veneer within these new spaces. The plywood edges are exposed and fit in with the raw finishes of the other materials.

At the heart of the project lies a Creative Meeting Space. This is an informal area where the art and production teams can meet to coordinate projects and where East Photographic can meet prospective clients face-to-face. The space is relaxed and welcoming. A large dining table dominates the centre, with a kitchen/bar and lounge areas off to the sides to create a comfortable domestic scale. The space can also be used to accommodate private events or as a gallery space. Art lines the internal walls and hangs on windows on a purpose-built track system, acting like a window dressing and privacy screening.

The finished project - a loose assembly composed of different parts - is a relaxed and welcoming environment that is conducive to human interaction and collaboration, a space to get things get done.

(Project photography by Taran Wilkhu)