Universal Design Studio has completed the interiors for three buildings within the Norton Folgate mixed-use development in London’s Spitalfields, creating workspaces that act as a direct homage to the area’s rich craftsmanship history. Spitalfields, historically a haven for creative makers since the 17th century, was once the center of the textile industry, attracting Huguenot silk weavers seeking refuge. The studio’s approach was a “commitment to craft, storytelling, and the art of making,” directly integrating contemporary artisans—including weavers, enamelers, and timber specialists—early in the design process. This strategy ensures that “artistry, materiality, and narrative became intrinsic to the outcome,” transforming the Georgian and Victorian-era buildings into bespoke offices. The project, which is shortlisted for a major design award, successfully bridges the area’s storied past with the needs of a modern, forward-thinking workplace.
Celebrating Spitalfields’ Handcrafted Roots
The design scheme for the Norton Folgate offices is deeply rooted in the cultural geography of London’s East End, specifically the Spitalfields neighborhood. This area has a profound history as a hub for craftspeople, particularly since the 17th century when it welcomed Huguenot weavers who established a thriving textiles industry.
Universal Design Studio made the deliberate choice to celebrate this legacy by commissioning contemporary makers to create site-responsive and custom pieces for the interiors of three buildings: 16 Blossom Street, Nicholls & Clarke, and 15 Norton Folgate. This move goes beyond mere decoration; it is a fundamental statement about the “enduring value of skilled craftsmanship.” The studio’s commitment to integrating skilled artisans ensured that the design was “bespoke” and enriched by handcrafted detail, effectively telling the story of the buildings’ location through tangible, high-quality materials and artistry.
Custom Textiles Honor Huguenot Weavers
A prominent example of this commitment to historical narrative is the commission for custom textiles, which directly references the area’s most famous historical residents: the Huguenot silk weavers. This piece of design serves as a functional art installation while providing privacy.
South London-based textile artist Lara Pain was enlisted to create bespoke woven curtains for the 15 Norton Folgate building. The curtains feature a subtle chequered pattern and are installed on tracks that allow them to be drawn across the ceiling, providing a sense of seclusion for various seating pockets within the office space. This material element is a direct, visible nod to the thousands of French silk weavers who settled in Spitalfields centuries ago. The inclusion of such a specialized piece emphasizes the studio’s dedication to making the history of the site physically present within the modern workspace.
Durable Joinery and Community Tables
The office spaces feature extensive use of timber, carefully selected and crafted for both longevity and to promote a sense of community among the occupants, recognizing the social function of a dynamic modern workplace.
Berkshire-based timber specialist Benchmark fabricated the red oak joinery for the offices. This joinery was specifically designed with reuse in mind; the timber was specified in consistent thicknesses to allow for easy disassembly without disrupting the entire system, a crucial sustainability measure. Furthermore, the timber used is predominantly solid, finished with oil, and assembled using minimal adhesives, prioritizing durability and a timeless aesthetic. Complementing this, London-based furniture designer Lewis Kemmenoe crafted vast, 4.7-metre-long elm wood kitchen tables for each level of the 16 Blossom Street building. These large tables were designed to “reinforce the importance of shared moments within the workplace,” encouraging collaboration and social interaction among employees.
Artistry in Functional Furniture
Beyond wood and textiles, Universal Design Studio engaged makers specializing in different materials, resulting in unique furniture pieces that blur the line between utility and sculptural art. The meeting table in the Nicholls & Clarke building is a key example of this approach.
British enamelling company AJ Wells was commissioned to create a distinctive meeting table. The final piece is composed of amorphous, peachy-orange enamel blocks that appear to have been pressed or “squashed together.” The studio worked closely with the manufacturer, gaining “a deeper understanding of pigmenting and shaping” to align the table’s radius and color palette with the possibilities and limitations of the enamel material. This highly customized approach results in a functional piece of furniture that is also a striking art object, adding visual interest and a sense of playful artistry to the professional setting.
