A Palm Court-Inspired Workspace is an Oasis in London

Co-working spaces are designed with a range of options to meet different needs, from dedicated desks to conference rooms. While artwork and decorative touches may call to mind the locale, the interiors are suitable almost anywhere—serviceable, but rather monotonous.

For Conductor, located in Stratford, East London, Studio MULTI and Tabitha Isobel looked to history to create a lush hospitality-inspired communal workspace.

Once the home of the Stratford Locomotive Works, the plan was to capture the same spirit of the Golden Age of Travel, with a nod to the foliage-filled social hubs popular during the Edwardian era. “We started by looking at the palm courts, and wanted it to feel like an oasis as soon as you walked in,” says Tabitha Organ, founder of Tabitha Isobel.

Materials in an array of combinations contrast with, yet still enhance, the concrete structure. The front of the reception desk is clad in glazed tiles of volcanic ash, while ceramic flooring includes alternating brick and block formations that add interest underfoot.

The palette features rust, ochre, and amber hues which reference the signature metal of the coppersmiths that were once common in the neighborhood. A suspended timber canopy covers the café and becomes its own unique section within the open-plan center.

Lush plants abound in the atrium, which is the heart of the 36,597-square-foot space. Benches upholstered in a bouclé fabric surround large custom planters. A variety of spots accommodate heads-down work or group sessions, while sheer cylindrical pendants float overhead.

Wood-framed meeting rooms painted a vibrant jade tone line one side of the perimeter. On the opposite end of the color and style spectrum, a Mad Men-esque sunken conversation pit is more cocktail lounge than corporate club. Enveloped in a deep wine tint, integrated seating and an acoustic treatment above complete the intimate setting.

The library balances openness with a more enclosed atmosphere. Permeable partitions of terracotta brick let light filter in. Shelves hold a selection of books and sculptural objects curated to echo the warmth of home. On the upper level, private offices are situated next to back-to-back booths and informal lounges.

With an emphasis on the atrium and the interplay of texture, Conductor becomes immersive as the illumination seems to shift throughout the day, which for Organ is an unsurpassed amenity. “The sun moves through the glass and then dapples through the plantings,” she notes. “The natural light makes the space magical.”