CLIENT
Storey / British Land
DESIGN
Waugh Thistleton Architects
LOCATION
London, UK
COMPLETED
2020
Designed by Waugh Thistleton Architects for British Land’s flexible workspace brand Storey, Orsman Road is a hybrid cross-laminated timber (CLT) and steel workspace overlooking Regent’s Canal in Hackney. Built for ambitious businesses of all shapes and sizes, the six-storey building is designed to flex with its tenants’ needs. A demountable partition system allows companies to reconfigure their workspace as they grow or shift, giving them full control over how their environment evolves.
The scheme sets a new benchmark for low-carbon, circular workplace design. With a zero-waste approach at its core, almost every element of the building, from SIP panels and cladding to timber decking and steel balustrades, can be detached and reused. Internally, generous natural light and exposed CLT create a warm, uplifting environment, while a carefully considered palette of natural textures and materials strengthens its connection to nature and supports wellbeing.
Working closely with the project team, we coordinated high-quality furniture selections that complemented the building’s expressive timber structure. Wherever possible, we sourced products locally to minimise environmental impact and support regional manufacturing. We also repurposed offcuts from the CLT panels to create bespoke furniture pieces for the offices, reinforcing the project’s commitment to circularity and material efficiency.
The result is a workspace that blends robust, future-focused sustainability with adaptability and character. 6 Orsman Road demonstrates how flexible planning, thoughtful material choices and a circular approach to furniture can support the needs of modern businesses while dramatically reducing environmental impact.
