London, Surrey Quays

Once a functioning printing press for newspapers, Printworks London was transformed into one of the capital’s most iconic cultural venues. The project centred on respecting the building’s powerful industrial heritage while reimagining it as a fully compliant, large-scale music and event space.

Our work began with the careful opening up of the vast, linear factory layout to create a dynamic and flexible flow for guests. We introduced new corridors and circulation routes to accommodate crowd movement and implemented additional fire exits to meet modern safety standards without compromising the building’s raw aesthetic. These interventions were designed to feel authentic — seamlessly blending into the existing industrial fabric.

Bespoke bar structures, back-of-house areas, and artist facilities were designed and constructed from robust, repurposed materials. We retained and re-used elements of the original metal caging and steelwork throughout, embedding a sense of continuity between the building’s past and present. Each new addition — whether a wall, door, or partition — was carefully distressed and treated to echo the textures and patina of the original print hall.

Structural alterations allowed us to form new social zones and viewing areas, adding layers of depth to the once utilitarian layout. By combining raw, industrial finishes with considered spatial planning, the result is an environment that feels both discovered and designed — a living tribute to the building’s working-class history, reimagined for a new generation of cultural experiences.