Architecture practice Office S&M has completed its own office inside a former paint-making workshop in Hackney, London.
With an entire wall of material samples and areas for modelling and sketching, Office S&M‘s workspace aims to act as a laboratory to support its ongoing exploration of materials “that are both practical and fun.”
The studio, headed by architects Catrina Stewart and Hugh McEwen, frequently experiments with materials and colour.
For its own office, complementary shades such as electric blue, yellow, red and green, were combined.
“For this workspace, we particularly used an electric blue and a bright yellow to contrast with each other and make the space larger,” McEwen told Dezeen.
“At the same time, because the workspace is south facing, we used the blue to cool the light and even out the warmth of the sun when looking at samples or drawings.”
The office features a separate meeting room acoustically isolated with sheets of recycled plastic bottles.
The plastic-bottle wall also works as a point of light thanks to the bulbs it contains inside.
“For our own office, we decided to use another common waste material, plastic bottles, but reimagined, to build a soundproofed meeting room,” said Stewart.
“The recycled plastic insulation is easy to work with, and irritation free, compared to traditional insulation.”
The space was divided into areas focused on collaboration, discussion and making to reflect Office S&M’s commitment to community-led design.
“We live in east London, and do much of our work in the areas near where we live and work,” said McEwen. “This gives us really local knowledge, so we can make sure projects have the most impact and can give back to the area.”
Additionally, Office S&M added plants, air purifiers and ergonomic workstations that intend to maintain the well-being of its occupants.
Other projects by the studio include a rental home for a young property developer that aims to offer a solution to London’s rental market, and the renovation of the Mo-tel House, a residence that features pale colours and bathroom counters made of discarded milk bottles and chopping boards.
The photography is by Ellen Christina Hancock.