Bluefig Investments wanted to create a new home for creative enterprise at 53-55 Mosley Street when the previous tenant’s occupancy came to an end. It needed to be flexible, offering various modes of working in order to support a creative and vibrant community.

Our challenge was to improve an extremely compromised internal layout with poor natural light, ceiling heights and circulation through sensible and modest refurbishment and restoration. By relocating the building’s core into the centre of the floorplate we have been able to maximise the amount of natural light entering the workspace, as well as providing well-proportioned flexible workspace.

The clear distinction between the original fabric and new interventions celebrates a new period in the building’s history, while recognising its former use as an industrial warehouse. A mixed palette of materials has been carefully placed and proportioned to provide colour, texture and detail. The entrances are inviting, animated, well-connected and better engage with the surrounding streetscape. The Mosley Street entrance has new ‘shop front’ glazing that creates high quality frontage and improved accessibility on to the street. A welcoming reception area, designed in collaboration with local artist Lazerian, provides shared tenant amenity and facilities for small scale events.

The upper floors are all accessed via the new core that clusters an upgraded lift, new stairs, superloos and kitchenette. The new fourth floor includes additional shared amenity in the form of a small co-work lounge and external terrace with views to St Peter’s Square.