SODA Studio designs a refined new home for Courier Media

The interior spaces of the new Hackney HQ are made up of varying workspaces that balance public and private, contrasting homely and professional design vernaculars by using raw and refined finishes. 

Courier wanted an office that becomes a destination for creativity and collaboration. SODA created multipl spaces for interactions between the team, splitting the floor into different levels. Progression through the space transitions from social spaces at the upper levels, down to calmer areas for more traditional forms of working. Upon entry, a gentle ramp brings you up to a lounge and coffee area, which then moves towards communal workspaces and then private nooks and banquettes as you descend.

Joinery has been used to frame different spaces and accentuate their functions, with translucent panels creating privacy screens for podcast recordings while keeping the sense of life and activity contained within the subdivided areas. At the centre of the plan, a full-height bespoke Sapele frame creates a collaborative room with sliding panels that can be used to enclose the space and double up as pin boards, while other walls are lined with books on one side and open-ended shelves the other.

A subtle midcentury palette was adopted by SODA, using neutral tone and splashes of colour in the furniture and fabrics. Intimate lighting and the use of textiles in the different spaces helps to further define a comfortable yet professional working environment: contrasting the muted and refined with the expressive and dynamic.

“It was important to develop a look and feel for Courier that fits into their brand identity,” says Russell Potter, director at SODA Studio. “We love strong and bold graphic design and appreciate the ways it can influence interiors, furniture and even architecture. We hope that this mature yet inspiring office has the durability to last Courier as they continue to develop their own business, while reporting on so many others.”