Inside Soho Works: Designing the perfect workspace

Inside Soho Works: Designing the perfect workspace | Soho House

Soho House’s design team explains the value of a dedicated work area and the elements that make it work well

Thursday 22 September 2022   By Gautam Balasundar

Never has the value of a dedicated workspace been more apparent. Not only are we living in an age of near-constant distraction, but we’re also coming off two years of workarounds and quick fixes to turn our homes into functioning offices. The problem with that is clear: we need separation or we’ll end up with the worst of both worlds, unproductive at work and stressed out at home. Instead, we need our homes to remain sanctuaries, and our workspaces to be places that foster both inspiration and focus. 
 
‘Having your own personal space for work without a doubt helps concentration and routine, which we feel can only benefit your work,’ says Harriet Liley, Lead Designer at Soho House. ‘Designated workspace allows for a sort of security and can enable you to personalise your space to ensure you’re working somewhere that feels familiar, helping to keep your day focused, without the distractions of a changing environment.’ Both Liley and Senior Designer Domhnall Nolan worked on Soho Works, the extension of Soho House geared towards shared workspaces. In doing so, they both spent time trying to answer one question: how do you create the perfect workspace?
Inside Soho Works: Designing the perfect workspace | Soho House
Inside Soho Works: Designing the perfect workspace | Soho House
The first part of crafting it isn’t even about design, it’s about the environment. ‘I think feeling inspired is really important when you’re working, especially in the creative industries,’ says Nolan. ‘Going to a shared space with others creates a lot of natural stimulation, conversations, collaborations, etc. Having a dedicated space for this leaves more possibilities for these kinds of interactions.’ 
 
That translated to the design, with elements of Soho Works conducive to engaging with others. ‘We catered for a mix of spaces – lounge, designated desks and offices, and hot desking [using different desks or workstations at different time, on a first come, first served basis], to accommodate a range of workers, along with phone booths and meeting rooms in a mix of sizes,’ explains Liley. ‘Some people love to work quietly in their own area, and some love to network and socialise while working.’ Most people aim for a balance between both of those things, but generally lean towards one or the other. That’s why it was necessary to have a space that can adapt to each person and the changing needs that occur throughout the day. ‘We also appreciate not everyone wants to feel forced into interaction and may need a quiet day to themselves,’ Nolan adds. ‘We have lots of pockets of calmer areas away from these more social spaces if needed, as well as phone booths and meeting rooms for more focused work.’
Inside Soho Works: Designing the perfect workspace | Soho House
Inside Soho Works: Designing the perfect workspace | Soho House
Inside Soho Works: Designing the perfect workspace | Soho House
Having multiple spaces was crucial; part of creating a comfortable working environment is to incorporate movement. After all, with so much of the workday having shifted to computer screens, it’s essential to have areas that encourage breaks. ‘The need to move around is vital to good work, to give yourself a breather and allow new ideas to flow,’ says Liley. At Soho Works, it was clear what everyone would gravitate towards. ‘Whether it’s first thing in the morning or a mid-afternoon coffee break, people tend to congregate naturally in the kitchen,’ Nolan expresses. That meant designing a large central island where members could socialise during their breaks. ‘One of our key design principles is about keeping things domestic. One main aspect of this is the incorporation of a central kitchen. By providing a domestic-style kitchen at the heart of the space, people get up and grab themselves a cup of tea or coffee, the same way you would at home.’
 
Honing in on that sense of familiarity and comfort is just as important as offering efficiency. The temptation for both businesses and individuals is to try to maximise every single thing for productivity. But without that feeling of warmth, the environment can turn sterile quickly –which is why people are so reluctant to return to large corporate offices. Instead, Liley and Nolan both emphasise a ‘residential’ quality in idealised workspaces, with the requisite amount of practicality. ‘Just like our members’ clubs, which create a home away from home, our workspaces provide the same,’ Liley says. ‘We feel the best work comes when you are comfortable in your surroundings – the task chairs were selected for optimum comfort, as were our lounge seats and table heights, all meticulously designed to create ergonomically successful working spaces, but effortlessly and not over designed, both in the furniture and lighting selections.’ 
Inside Soho Works: Designing the perfect workspace | Soho House
Inside Soho Works: Designing the perfect workspace | Soho House
If there’s one thing Liley and Nolan have learnt in designing and occupying theses spaces, it’s that sometimes being with people is the best way to focus. ‘I find co-working spaces really great for this, actually,’ Nolan says. ‘You’re able to surround yourself with people from other creative industries, but not necessarily your own company – so you can focus in your own bubble. I find Soho Works Shoreditch is great for this – you can find a cosy corner and really put your head down when you need to.’ Liley echoes the sentiment, understanding that these spaces are actually a respite for people with fast-paced careers. ‘I will always stop by Soho Works at 875 Washington in New York if I need to focus,’ she says. ‘We have tons of natural light pouring in, a calm colour palette, and some great open desk space. It’s never overcrowded, and there’s a great vibe, even in the middle of one of Manhattan’s buzziest areas. 10 Jay in New York is also great for this – it has a huge glass façade that creates beautiful pockets of light-filled workspace with the most amazing view; it’s very inspiring.’

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Inside Soho Works: Designing the perfect workspace | Soho House
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