Studio MULTI Designs Lush Conductor Hub in Stratford
Design Context
For Conductor, located in Stratford, East London, Studio MULTI and Tabitha Isobel looked to history to create a lush hospitality-inspired communal workspace. Co-working spaces are typically serviceable but rather monotonous, with interiors suitable almost anywhere. Conductor breaks that mold by capturing the spirit of the Golden Age of Travel, with a nod to the foliage-filled social hubs popular during the Edwardian era. โWe started by looking at the palm courts, and wanted it to feel like an oasis as soon as you walked in,โ says Tabitha Organ, founder of Tabitha Isobel. For architects and interior designers, the project demonstrates how historical typologies can inform biophilic, hospitality-driven workplaces that prioritize atmosphere and user experience over generic fit-outs.
Site Heritage
Once the home of the Stratford Locomotive Works, the plan was to capture the same spirit of the Golden Age of Travel. The 36,597-square-foot space reinterprets palm courts as social anchors, blending travel nostalgia with contemporary workplace needs. For real estate developers and asset managers, this approach elevates co-working from commodity to destination, increasing dwell time and tenant appeal. The design responds to post-pandemic demand for workplaces that feel residential and restorative. By referencing Edwardian-era social hubs, the interiors create narrative depth while supporting diverse functions from focused work to informal collaboration across the open-plan center.
Material Strategy
Materials in an array of combinations contrast with, yet still enhance, the concrete structure. The front of the reception desk is clad in glazed tiles of volcanic ash, while ceramic flooring includes alternating brick and block formations that add interest underfoot. The palette features rust, ochre, and amber hues which reference the signature metal of the coppersmiths that were once common in the neighborhood. For construction and specification teams, the material strategy balances durability with tactile richness. Volcanic ash tiles, terracotta brick, and timber elements deliver acoustic softness and visual warmth, countering the industrial shell and aligning with hospitality standards in commercial interiors.
Spatial Planning
A suspended timber canopy covers the cafรฉ and becomes its own unique section within the open-plan center. Lush plants abound in the atrium, which is the heart of the space. Benches upholstered in a bouclรฉ fabric surround large custom planters. A variety of spots accommodate heads-down work or group sessions, while sheer cylindrical pendants float overhead. For interior planners, the layout offers layered privacy without fixed walls. Permeable partitions of terracotta brick let light filter into the library, while back-to-back booths and informal lounges on the upper level support hybrid work. The atrium functions as a biophilic core, improving wellbeing and circulation.
Color Programming
Wood-framed meeting rooms painted a vibrant jade tone line one side of the perimeter. On the opposite end of the color and style spectrum, a Mad Men-esque sunken conversation pit is more cocktail lounge than corporate club. Enveloped in a deep wine tint, integrated seating and an acoustic treatment above complete the intimate setting. For workplace strategists, the contrast in tone and form signals varied modes of use. Jade meeting rooms support formal collaboration, while the wine-toned pit encourages informal dialogue. This duality allows tenants to choose environments based on task and mood, a key consideration in experiential office design.
Lighting Approach
With an emphasis on the atrium and the interplay of texture, Conductor becomes immersive as the illumination seems to shift throughout the day, which for Organ is an unsurpassed amenity. โThe sun moves through the glass and then dapples through the plantings,โ she notes. โThe natural light makes the space magical.โ For architects and lighting designers, the project showcases daylight as a material. Skylights, sheer curtains, and plant-filtered light create dynamic conditions that reduce reliance on artificial sources. This supports WELL and sustainability goals while enhancing occupant comfort. The changing light reinforces the oasis concept central to the brief.
Project Outcome
Conductor transforms a former industrial site into a hospitality-grade communal workspace that feels both grounded and escapist. The library balances openness with a more enclosed atmosphere, shelves holding books and sculptural objects curated to echo the warmth of home. On the upper level, private offices sit next to informal lounges, offering flexibility for growing teams. For the real estate and construction sector, the project illustrates how adaptive reuse and narrative-driven interiors can differentiate co-working assets in competitive urban markets. To learn more about the creative forces behind Conductorโs communal workspace, visit studiomulti.com and tabithaisobel.co.uk.
Image Courtesy: Jasper Fry
