WeWork Spitalfields, London, by John Robertson Architects

  • Shared spaces feature in the latest WeWork building in London

  • http://www.designcurial.com/Uploads/Project/9588/images/276782/large/WeWork1.jpg$,

  • A cafe/bar is provided for users

  • http://www.designcurial.com/Uploads/Project/9588/images/276782/large/WeWork1.jpg$,http://www.designcurial.com/Uploads/Project/9588/images/276783/large/WeWork2.jpg$,

  • Shared spaces include training and presentation areas and meeting rooms

  • http://www.designcurial.com/Uploads/Project/9588/images/276782/large/WeWork1.jpg$,http://www.designcurial.com/Uploads/Project/9588/images/276783/large/WeWork2.jpg$,http://www.designcurial.com/Uploads/Project/9588/images/276784/large/WeWork3.jpg$,

  • Shared spaces include training and presentation areas and meeting rooms

  • http://www.designcurial.com/Uploads/Project/9588/images/276782/large/WeWork1.jpg$,http://www.designcurial.com/Uploads/Project/9588/images/276783/large/WeWork2.jpg$,http://www.designcurial.com/Uploads/Project/9588/images/276784/large/WeWork3.jpg$,http://www.designcurial.com/Uploads/Project/9588/images/276785/large/WeWork4.jpg$,

The practice liked its completed project for this shared workspace so much that it decided to move in...

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Project Info

Client: British Land
Design: WeWorks
Architect: John Robertson Architects
Size: 6,039 sq m
Duration: 11 months


Words by Emily Martin

Images by Hufton + Crow

It has to be one of the ultimate client reassurances when a commissioned architecture practice delivers a scheme so good that it decides to move in as a tenant. This was the case with John Robertson Architects (JRA), which completed a scheme for shared office space company WeWork, in December 2015, to then become a member and move in to accommodate its expanding workforce.

Commissioned by the building's owner British Land, as the base build and fit-out architect JRA worked closely with the WeWork in-house design team to deliver the sixth London workspace for WeWork; creating WeWork Spitalfields, located at 199 Bishopsgate and occupying six floors of the building.

A cafe/bar is provided for users
A cafe/bar is provided for users

Inspired by geometry, pop culture, street art, nature and local culture, with a focus on community, WeWork's goal is to create consistency in the appearance of its locations around the world. JRA worked closely with the WeWork in-house design team to achieve a layout that was appropriate to the site while maintaining consistency with the brand. The challenge for JRA was to deliver a fast-paced project set within tight design and cost guidelines.

'The struggle is how to keep the same raw design feeling while making sure that each space feels unique,' says WeWork UK design project manager, Kimberly Kolkovich. But with WeWork Shoreditch as the only London location with its own dedicated entrance and integrated signage, JRA's addition of a feature staircase to the existing building helped create a space identity.

Shared spaces include training and presentation areas and meeting rooms
Shared spaces include training and presentation areas and meeting rooms

In addition to access from the ground floor to the dedicated reception on the first floor, a second staircase was added to connect the reception with upper floors and encourage user interaction between floors and alleviate lift usage. To provide a social focus, each floor has a lounge area with a cafe bar overlooking Bishopsgate. The first-floor entrance has a large lounge area used to host events for the entire WeWork Spitalfields community.

Elsewhere, the open floorplates have been subdivided into individual rentable offices, arranged around a core of shared facilities, meeting rooms and phone booths. A communal open-plan environment allows users to rent a desk rather than an office, and some 70 desks are provided in a 'lab' on the second floor.

Shared spaces include training and presentation areas and meeting rooms
Shared spaces include training and presentation areas and meeting rooms

JRA's knowledge of the building and collaborative approach allowed the practice to quickly form an efficient delivery plan for this turnkey project, which in the end saw the JRA move into the space to form its new HQ. Director of John Robertson Architects Festus Moffat says: 'WeWork is an exciting new force in the UK workspace market and we've had a great exchange of ideas with them on this project.'

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