[Y/N] Studio has completed the refurbishment of an existing workspace in Woodberry Down, Hackney, creating 14 new flexible and affordable workspaces for creative start-ups and designers. The project, commissioned by the Dalston-based community interest company Hackney Cooperative Developments (HCD) and funded by an affordable workspace grant from Hackney Council, addresses the inefficiencies of the previous layout which featured underused central space and an oversized services core.

The design reconfigures the floor plan by rationalising the services core—comprising toilets, storage, and reception—which was previously located away from the entrance and took up more space than necessary. This reorganisation made room for a series of infill workspaces ranging from 6 to 24 square metres, and introduced a shared meeting room alongside improved kitchenette and toilet facilities. The reception area has been relocated to the building entrance, enhancing the welcoming atmosphere for tenants and visitors.

Collaborating closely with fabricator MILK Furniture, [Y/N] Studio employed modular, flexible timber partitions clad on one side with translucent profiled polycarbonate. This innovative system allowed for efficient installation while serving multiple practical functions. The timber frames, combined with a striking orange floor covering that ties the upper floor spaces together, create a warm yet durable environment that balances natural materiality with privacy and light. Plywood shelving integrated into the partitions provides additional functional storage while allowing for tenant customisation.

Alex Smith, founding director of [Y/N] Studio, explained that the project aimed to inject new life into an underperforming workspace without complete reinvention, reflecting a careful balance driven by funding constraints and the need to minimise disruption to existing tenants. The approach prioritised sustainability and efficiency, using materials that serve multiple purposes and a modular system that maximises value for the client and incoming tenants. Smith highlighted the project’s emphasis on time and cost efficiency and hinted at a forthcoming second phase, which will introduce a new reception area on the ground floor and improved wayfinding signage.

Hackney Cooperative Developments’ CEO Simon Dancey praised the project as a demonstration of how architecture can be a tool for social equity. He emphasised that the development supports the urgent need for accessible premises in one of London’s fastest-changing neighbourhoods, maximising every square metre through intelligent and flexible design. Dancey underscored the project’s community-focused features, such as the relocated kitchenette and upgraded shared facilities which foster tenant interaction. He also noted the careful material selection prioritising durability, affordability, sustainability, and long-term value. Dancey framed the project as a model for inclusive development amidst increasing pressures on London’s housing and workspaces.

The Woodberry Down workspace refurbishment is part of a broader movement in Hackney to secure genuinely affordable workspaces for local enterprises. Hackney Council actively supports such initiatives through planning policies mandating affordable workspace delivery in new developments, its own building portfolio, and funding programmes. Notably, the council recently launched a £1 million Affordable Workspace Fund providing capital grants to improve or create new affordable workspaces, reflecting its commitment to fostering a greener, fairer, and more inclusive local economy.

Hackney Cooperative Developments has been instrumental in delivering these affordable workspace projects, with previous successes including Bradbury Works in Dalston. This project offered over 1,000 square metres of workspace and retail units ringfenced for local independent businesses, supported by a £1 million Greater London Authority grant. The Dalston Works scheme, another ongoing development, is similarly supported by Hackney Council via financial and land agreements, further cementing the borough’s dedication to maintaining affordable workspaces for its diverse community of entrepreneurs and social enterprises.

The Woodberry Down refurbishment, scheduled for completion in 2025 with tenants expected to occupy the workspaces shortly thereafter, exemplifies a strategic, collaborative effort aimed at sustaining and enriching Hackney’s creative economy. Through innovative design, thoughtful use of materials, and community-centered planning, the project underscores the vital role affordable workspaces play in supporting London’s dynamic small business environment.

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Source: Noah Wire Services