Surrey Quays, London

Hidden beneath the main halls of Printworks, Inkwells was a new space created for a fresh season of events, carved directly from the disused printing press inkwells of the original factory. The project involved reactivating a long-forgotten part of the building and transforming it into an atmospheric, fully functional event space that felt authentic to Printworks’ industrial character while meeting all modern requirements.

To form the new venue, we removed the large, redundant inkwell machinery and carefully infilled the existing soakaway pits, creating a safe and level foundation for new circulation routes. We then introduced a network of corridors and transitional spaces, connecting Inkwells seamlessly to the existing Printworks layout while maintaining the sense of discovery that defines the venue.

A new air circulation and extraction system was integrated to ensure comfort and safety in the subterranean environment, supported by a bespoke lighting design that emphasised the raw textures and depth of the concrete structure. The lighting strategy balanced functionality with atmosphere — illuminating the space subtly to reveal the layers of industrial history within the walls.

Every intervention was designed to feel embedded within the building’s original fabric. The result is a dark, intimate, and immersive environment that complements the grand scale of the main halls above — a hidden underworld of sound and light that extends the Printworks experience into new territory.