WW+P recently moved to a 19th century warehouse in the Valentine place conservation area in the heart of Southwark. After 12 years we had outgrown our purpose built offices in Tanner St and were looking for a suitable replacement. As architects our work environment is particularly important to us – it tells visitors a lot about who we are as a company and what to expect from us,  but more importantly provides a stimulating and creative environment in which to work.

When the opportunity arose to convert an historic warehouse building in a great location within a mile of our Tanner St offices we felt compelled to take on the project. Arranged over 5 floors our former offices were less than ideal and no longer catered to the needs of our ever changing business requirements and increasing size. The new building consolidates everyone over two floors and at over 5000 sq ft, provides a flexible work space, with lots of potential for future expansion.

Formally used by photographer David Bailey, the upper floor was subdivided into a series of dark rooms with mezzanine storage levels above. These were removed to open up the space in its entirety exposing the original timber roof trusses and taking full advantage of the incredible natural light this space affords. The original crittal windows were retained and refurbished and brickwork exposed to preserve the warehouse aesthetic and ensure the building sits comfortably in its conservation area setting. The workstations and meeting tables were built specifically to fit the 4m window bays and enhance the generous feel of the building.

On the ground floor a series of flexible meeting spaces centered around an open plan kitchen which offers a variety of options for both business and social events and encourage interaction between employees and clients alike. Again the space has been opened up and the building fabric stripped back to expose original features. The warehouse doors have been replaced with an expanse of channel glazing which floods the ground floor with light and from the outside provides a subtle indication of the radical transformation this building has undergone.