London based architectural studio Matheson Whiteley has transformed a Hackney commercial unit into creative spaces for four artists. The original ten-storey building is located on a complex site adjacent to Homerton overground station, at the south-facing end of a narrow industrial mews. It was completed in the early 2000s, but the large ground floor commercial space was never let due to poor foot traffic.
A group of artists formed a consortium to acquire this empty space, attracted by its obvious qualities: the vast interior expanse, good daylight and generous floor to ceiling heights.
New party walls were introduced to subdivide the space, along with a complex system of temporary propping which supported the apartments overhead. Existing concrete structural mezzanine floors were cut back to form double-height spaces.
Within the studios, shopfront glazing has been partially enclosed for privacy while retaining high-level clerestory daylighting. New power-floated concrete floors, along with gallery-quality lighting and art walls were introduced to provide a robust working environment. Through careful dialogue, each studio developed a specific layout, language and character, which reflect the working methods and personalities of the individual artists.
Photography by Maris Mezulis
Text & images via mathesonwhiteley.com
