Pennington Street Warehouse (PSW) is the
new studio of architects, masterplanners
and placemakers, JTP; showing the creative reuse
and adaptation of a Grade II listed building
at London Dock.

Pennington Street Warehouse (PSW) is the self-designed studio of architects, masterplanners and placemakers, JTP. As advocates of retrofit and reuse, JTP purposefully chose to adapt this Grade II listed warehouse as opposed to building completely anew; significantly reducing carbon impact.

Designed for longevity, all materials and products specified throughout the studio have a cradle-to-grave Environmental Product Declaration, ensuring sustainable options have been used. Sourcing locally and reusing existing furniture and equipment, has helped significantly reduce waste. The use of timber is maximised within the studio for its renewable and recyclable properties and for its benefits as a natural carbon sink.

PSW has been designed to enable occupants to achieve their physical, mental and emotional best. It offers escape spaces; it is mindful of sensory stimuli; and it provides transition zones between working areas, enabling users to recalibrate their senses. The design encourages users to work alongside one another with greater empathy and effectiveness. Great consideration has gone into embedding acoustic absorption in furnishings, utilising natural light and offering sensory elements to help cognitive accessibility. In the first year of occupation, absence due to sickness was down 16%.

The design encourages an active work life, movement and interaction – by incorporating generous staircases, flexible workspaces, clustered amenities and equipment and activity spaces. The integration of biophilia provides not only air purification but also spaces for contemplation. The greenery helps to improve productivity and cognition.

Creating a healthy environment, free of volatile organic compounds (VOC) was key. Throughout the design, construction and in occupation, JTP was stringent in its selection of products and finishes. Every material – paint, timber, fabric, furniture and cleaning product – is VOC-free.

Reducing environmental impact is more than a building issue and requires a shift in behaviours and mindset. JTP has implemented new initiatives to change behaviours – reusable water bottles, eco-friendly coffee cups and hessian lunch bags help reduce consumption and waste. Additionally, the building’s energy consumption in the first year of occupation was below its design target, indicating increased efficiency.

“We believe that PSW challenges the preconceptions of what constitutes a workplace. It goes beyond the remarkable adaptation of a building or its commitment to sustainability. The studio symbolises something much more intangible. It is a place where we make and nurture friendships. A place where we have face-to-face interactions. A place where we feel a sense of belonging. A place for accidental interactions. A place where we can mentor and be mentored. Working will inevitably change as we emerge from the pandemic, but we still believe the creative and collaborative studio remains as important as ever.”

Marcus Adams, Managing Partner, JTP