_Knight Frank joins forces with MAWD to transform Farringdon’s Herbal House

The brief was to adapt the building’s existing reception mezzanine into a complimentary area for tenants to enjoy and create a space that supports work and social connections.

In keeping with the building’s location and history – it was built in 1929 for the Daily Mirror’s printworks – the interior design references its industrial past while reflecting the creative aesthetic of its current occupiers, including Adidas, Moonpig.com, Open Society Foundation and IDEO.

Polished concrete floors and exposed brickwork are complimented by sleek, contemporary fittings, mid century furniture and bold lighting. The result is a dynamic space where tenants can work, socialise and host guests.

The centrepiece of the area is the custom Durat-topped bar which could be used as a laptop bar, a presentation area or space to host food and drinks receptions.

"As always, we started by considering the occupiers’ needs and the typical profile of the tenants," says MAWD co-founder James White. “We knew that the building attracted creative companies, whose employees were likely to include a high proportion of Gen Z’s and millennials."

He adds: "It was important to remain authentic and we worked to ensure the interior feels at one with the visual language already present in the building. Our own twist was the blending in of mid-century elements through some eye-catching furniture and lighting pieces, which worked beautifully alongside the industrial context."

White explained that they also wanted the space to reflect the attitude of the employees of the companies in the building. "There’s a definite creative vibe amongst the building’s tenants and the idea was to foster this sense of energy and collaboration through unique design – the choice of comfortable seating arrangements, a drinks bar, a considered colour palette – are all conducive to encouraging causal meetings and conversations in a setting that at once relaxes, excites and inspires."

Kathryn Cripps, Partner and Asset Manager at Knight Frank, Commercial Real Estate, said: "It’s terrific to have worked in partnership with March and White Design to deliver a new creative space for our occupiers at Herbal House. We love working together to deliver projects and outcomes which highlight the amazing places and spaces commercial real estate creates."