London-based architecture practice THISS Studio has completed a groundbreaking office design that prioritizes environmental sustainability through a strict approach to material reuse. The innovative workspace, located in a former industrial building in Shoreditch, serves as both an office and creative space for Salt, an independent PR studio that collaborated closely on the design process.
The open-plan interior features a carefully curated neutral color palette, combining metallic hardware with warm creams, browns, and beiges. Rather than incorporating traditional contract furniture, THISS Studio made a deliberate choice to source reclaimed materials second-hand or repurpose items found on-site. This approach not only reduced environmental impact but also created a unique aesthetic that cannot be replicated with entirely new materials.
The workspace's functionality centers around two large, mobile tables that define work, meeting, and breakout areas without the need for fixed meeting rooms. One table measures 3.6 meters in length while the other spans 2.3 meters. Both were crafted by the studio using old steel catering surfaces purchased on eBay, topped with surfaces made from leftover cork edged with white American oak. "We salvaged remnant pieces of wood and a scrap roll of cork for the desk and meeting tables," explained Celeste Bolte, founding director of Salt.
The addition of castor wheels to the table legs allows for maximum flexibility in the double-height space. During the day, the tables function as communal desks and lunch areas, but can be easily moved aside to transform the space into a mixed-use venue for talks, events, and photography shoots after hours. This adaptability reflects the modern workplace's need for versatile, multi-functional environments.
The commitment to reuse extends beyond the tables to other furnishing elements throughout the office. The stainless steel bookcases, which now house the company's media collection, originally served as butchers' shelves before being purchased from Gumtree specifically for this project. This creative repurposing demonstrates how everyday items can find new life in commercial interior design.
According to THISS Studio, avoiding commercial contract furniture was a key objective of the project. Mass-produced furnishings typically lack durability and create a greater negative environmental impact compared to repurposed pieces. "The constraints actually became opportunities, introducing productive friction that sparked creativity and innovation, rather than assuming all materials were readily available," the studio explained.
The kitchen area exemplifies the project's sustainable approach through the reuse of existing structural elements. Rather than completely replacing the former kitchen, the studio preserved its skeleton and gave away old cabinet fronts and a kitchen sink online for others to reuse. Only two new cabinets needed to be added, with the entire kitchen unified by fronts made from chocolate brown Valchromat sheeting, a material constructed from recycled softwood fibers.
Without internal walls, the space's various functional areas are separated by an innovative sheer patchwork curtain created by textile designer Georgia Bosson. The curtain, made from end-of-roll linen, hangs from one of the structural steel beams. These beams, along with the columns, were painted in a warm terracotta red color, replacing their previous austere black finish and adding visual warmth to the industrial space.
"The key challenge of taking such a strict approach to material reuse is that the design must be adaptive to what's available," noted Salt representatives. "Designing in this way required a flexible vision, as well as time and patience for sourcing and a little bit of good luck." This approach required the design team to remain open to unexpected discoveries and creative solutions throughout the project timeline.
The project demonstrates how environmental consciousness and creative design can work hand in hand to create distinctive commercial spaces. "From second-hand and inherited materials, the studio has been shaped by what could be sourced at the time," Salt explained. "As a result, Salt HQ is inherently unique with an authenticity and depth that could not have been replicated with entirely new materials." The workspace stands as a compelling example of how sustainable design practices can enhance rather than limit creative possibilities in contemporary office environments.
