Client: Fora
Interior design: Universal Design Studio
Furnishings: Custom made on design by the architects
Photo credits: Chris Tirrell, Toby Mitchell
While for Fora, a flexible co-working space provider, workplace well-being is of fundamental importance, for Universal Design Studio it is a true mission, guided by a deep conviction in the transformative power of well-designed spaces. This winning combination gave rise to the brand-new London destination, The Jellicoe, in the King’s Cross district, a creative hub of the city with an industrial past. For this new Fora-branded project, developed across 12 floors, Universal Design Studio applied its ‘World within a world’ concept, creating spaces with varying levels of functionality and discovery.
These are environments where innovation and interaction thrive, yet also support fundamental human needs, with dedicated areas and private spaces. Similarly, a sustainable approach is evident, starting with the creation of bespoke elements throughout the building, which are reconfigurable and demountable for new uses. For instance, on the ground floor, a large ceiling grid can support various activities, although most of this space is dedicated to dining, with café-style and co-working furniture.
However, thanks to the use of curtains, projection screens, and movable furniture, the environment can be reconfigured to host events, with the elevated raft supporting artworks or installations, ensuring future flexibility. The concept of sustainability also extends to the materials used, such as natural linoleum for the floors or the use of ash wood for most of the fixtures. This includes the meditation room on the second floor, clad in wood infused with lavender scent to transport one into a state of relaxation and reflection.
Paul Gulati, Director at Universal Design Studio, explains: “We experimented with strongly contrasting materials and forms to reinforce the difference between each ‘world,’ which was further expressed through clear boundaries and demarcation lines. The experience of moving between different worlds has a cinematic quality, transforming into a new scene or location and stimulating changes in human behavior.
This approach encourages users to choose the right space for the task or experience required at any given moment of their workday.” On the second floor, there is also an internal garden, designed with natural materials – clay and minerals – that evoke an outdoor lifestyle, once again fostering individual relaxation and social interaction.
