Selgas Cano extends London co-working space Second Home with rooftop social spaces and gardens
Madrid-based practice Selgas Cano has designed a rooftop space for social enterprise Second Home’s Spitalfields office in east London. The scheme, which is surrounded by organic-shaped pools and features over 800 tropical trees and plants, extends the architect’s work on the original building, which opened in November 2014.
Located on the fourth floor, the 1400-square-metre project comprises five private studios for teams of up to 150 people (each with its own pool-filled outdoor terrace), five private meeting rooms, an event space for 150 people, a bar and public terrace. The ceilings of the studios are covered with more than 10,000 colourful felt hats, which provide acoustic attenuation while adding visual interest.
The principal materials are polycarbonate, acrylic, wood and felt. Original mid-century chairs and lamps are combined with swivel chairs designed by David Rowland. The tables, bar and internal and external curved seating areas are by Selgas Cano. Automated cross-ventilation is used in conjunction with LED lighting and 100 per cent ‘green’ electricity.
“Companies based at Second Home grow ten times faster than the national average, which is why we’ve opened this beautiful rooftop space”, says Second Home co-founder Rohan Silva. “By harnessing aspects of nature, like the ponds and plants, Selgas Cano has created a place where teams can be happier, more creative and more productive, which is what Second Home is all about.”
Additional Images
Credits
Architect
Selgas Cano
Services engineer
Ritchie & Daffin
Contractor
E-Core, Laimar
Client
Second Home
