Redefining the Workplace – Village Studio by mcmahon and nerlich

As an exploration of the alternate directions for adaptative re-use of heritage homes, Village Studio realigns an existing residence into a place of work, maintaining many of its familiar and comforting layers. mcmahon and nerlich experiments in response to an emerging demand for less corporate workplaces, whilst also ensuring a retention of community.

The typology of the workplace is currently going through a time of in-depth change. In a move where there is interest to work closer to home, and in settings that resemble the home environment, the option to alter an existing residence into a workplace opens a world of opportunity. In the case of Village Studio, mcmahon and nerlich does just that and, in finding new life within a heritage home, is able to weave in the essential areas for focused and independent work settings. Retaining the existing outer façade and restoring the front rooms as a preservation of heritage, the rear is reworked to create a series of connected spaces that bring people together and allow for more passive retreat.

Like a home, the addition allows for the creation of zones that align with varying functions, whilst also ensuring an element of flexibility is embedded for future alteration.

Like a home, the addition allows for the creation of zones that align with varying functions, whilst also ensuring an element of flexibility is embedded for future alteration. With the original Victorian era frontage of the terrace remaining, the newly formed brick façade at the rear, which sees the form stretch outward deeper into the site, becomes more contemporary and crisper in resolution. Matching the proportion and scale of the original, the addition continues a similar volumetric approach, seeing a crafted approach to steelwork and timber bind the old and new together.

As a series of connected spaces, Village Studio houses a roster of clusters under the one roof – a co-working space, shared open desking, and a collection of meeting and independent working environments. Whilst the formality of the heritage rooms naturally leans towards separation, the new open form and raked ceiling encourages coming together. Throughout, ancillary and support spaces are strategically placed, with storage and integrated joinery key to concealing utility and maintaining the intended residential and welcoming feel of the studios as a collective.

Through a rich materiality, Village Studio combines the textural depth of the past with more refined and modern insertions.

Through a rich materiality, Village Studio combines the textural depth of the past with more refined and modern insertions. mcmahon and nerlich has taken the remnants of an older building and repurposed it well beyond both its years and its original intended function.