This project is a redesign of Stratford Workshops, a former 1980s printworks building. The factory’s original features, mostly covered up and painted over through time, were the inspiration for the design, which aimed to reveal the native heritage and character of the building, creating a contemporary take on industrial aesthetics. Client General Projects’ brief was to provide improved workspace to existing and new tenants, upgrading the building’s offer through layout redistribution, a new entrance, prominent reception and pockets of communal space scattered through its dense plan of office units. The original building was constructed in 1893 and served as Great Eastern Railways’ press for printing tickets, timetables and posters. Printing took place across four stacked open floor plates, with large north light windows in a ribbon across the top floor. Monumental steel beams spanned the width of the building, creating a flexible plan which, over time, was fragmented into cellular offices with minimal shared amenities. Studio MUTT’s approach was to maximise interaction between disparate tenants by reclaiming some of the original building’s expansive dimensions for communal space, as well as using colour to create more legible circulation. The redesign was holistic, and included work on interiors, bespoke furniture, graphics and wayfinding. Advertisement Much of the design was about peeling back and revealing. New additions such as doors, a reception, tea points, washrooms and meeting rooms were designed to build on the character of the building’s heritage, but also to be in contrast with the material and detailing of the old brick-and-steel structure. These peculiar, yet familiar, insertions breathe new life into the building, allowing it to begin writing the story of its future. Alexander Turner, director, Studio MUTT   Project data Start on site April 2023 Completion Gross internal floor area 3,700m2 Construction cost Undisclosed Architect Studio MUTT Client General Projects M&E consultant David Webb Associates Quantity surveyor Quartz Project manager Quartz Principal designer Private consultant Approved building inspector Private consultant Wayfinding and artworks Studio MUTT, Corbin Wood Main contractor Brac CAD software used Vectorworks Predicted design life 15 years     Specification  The design of Stratford Workshops prioritised robust materials to suit the needs of creative work units and maker spaces. The visual aesthetic aimed to reflect the building’s energy and reference the history of the original printing press through colour choices. A cohesive colour strategy was implemented throughout the building, incorporating material selection and furniture design. Timber became a signature material for common areas and the colour palette drew inspiration from old printing machinery and ticket colours. Burnt orange shades were used in shared spaces such as stairwells and kitchens, distinguishing them from private work areas. Bathrooms were redesigned as unisex facilities with a central washbasin and mirrored panels to create a sense of spaciousness. The orange colour scheme continued in the bathrooms, with coloured MDF stalls creating a patchwork effect.Advertisement In the kitchens, stainless steel was used for worktops, splashbacks and shelves, referencing the building’s steel beams. Mirrored surfaces again enhanced the feeling of space and pine doors with a lacquered stripe pattern added a decorative touch. Alexander Turner, director, Studio MUTT     Selected products  Valchromat Investwood Orange, Treatex Hardwax oil finish Bathrooms investwood.ptEuropean decorative pine Specialised panel products Fire-rated, clear matt Osmo oil finish Kitchens spp.co.ukRubber flooring NORA Rubber Flooring Norament 5345 (dark green), 5342 (light green) Corridors nora.comVinyl flooring Forbo Surestep 172932 tangerine Bathrooms forbo.comStainless steel sink, backsplash, skirting Bespoke, Stainless Direct UK Marine-grade, brushed finish Kitchens, bathrooms stainlessdirectuk.comCone pendant light Frandsen Benjamine White Kitchens madeindesign.co.ukTube pendant light Encapsulite MT70 LED AC2, 878mm, MT360 LED, 1525mm Corridors and bathroom encapsulite.co.uk Franke sink Franke 580 x 450mm, stainless steel Kitchen franke.comWall-mounted washbasin Duravit Duravit Vero handbasin Bathrooms duravit.co.ukBathroom fittings Crosswater Crosswater Mike Pro single lever tap and mixer Bathrooms crosswater.co.ukBoiling water tap Rangemaster Kitchens plumbworld.co.ukToilet Duravit Duravit ME compact Bathrooms pro.duravit.co.ukFlush plate Geberit Geberet Omega 60, brushed stainless steel Bathrooms geberit.co.ukSoap dispenser Manomano Manomano 304, stainless steel Bathrooms manomano.co.ukToilet cistern Geberit Duofix frame, wall-hung Omego cistern Bathrooms geberit.co.ukStrip light Iguzzini Iguzzini LED Strip Tube, white, IP44 Bathrooms iguzzini.comRecessed spotlight Iguzzini Iguzzini Easy Space Recess, white, IP44 Bathrooms iguzzini.com