Paola Leon Design Deliver a Dynamic and Flexible Co-Working Space

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a neutral and warm office design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, Paola Leon Design.

PLD have delivered a detailed and considered refurbishment, revitalising the co-working spaces to Capital Tower, Waterloo. Building elements have been carefully selected, repurposing and recycling where possible to minimise renewal. Existing and new are combined to create a cohesive look and feel. All spaces are unified with neutral warm hues, feature lighting, natural eco-friendly materials and accents of colour. Dynamic and flexible workspaces encourage movement and interaction. Amenities, social spaces, group, solo or quiet work settings all combine to deliver a space that is inviting and delightful to clients, colleagues and collaborators, encouraging personal inventiveness and creativity.

What was the client’s brief?

The client brief was to create a sustainable, dynamic and flexible workspace that encouraged movement and interaction. The space needed to be inviting and delightful to clients, colleagues and collaborators, memorable, practical and future proof.

What inspired the design of the project?

A recent visit to Japan provided the opportunity to re-experience elegant traditional design and sleek modern interiors. Minimalism, functionality and natural materials seemed the perfect combination to create a welcoming and sophisticated space.

We combined this with feature lighting, a bright warm palette, tactile materials and familiar furnishing to complete the design.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

To meet sustainability targets we aimed to retain as much of the existing fit-out as we could. This involved assessing the existing elements, reviewing their condition and working to incorporate them into the design where possible.

This was time consuming, however, extremely rewarding as we were able to retain an intricate bespoke metal ceiling to the office spaces and revealed previously covered slot windows along the façade.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The highlight was the attention to detail we were able to go to on the joinery items. The construction and materiality really bring a high-quality feel to the space. A highlight was the timber coffered ceiling. This is a real statement piece, and when combined with the feature pendant lighting it gives a memorable first impression.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

As an organisation SBID represents interior designers at the highest level, championing quality and professionalism both in the UK and internationally.

With these credentials entering the awards allows us to showcase our best work and presents an opportunity (if shortlisted) to measure how we compare to others in our industry.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Being a finalist means a huge amount to the business, the associated media, social and PR platforms of SBID brings great exposure to our studio.

Being able to associate ourselves with the values, reputation and international recognition of SBID allows us to demonstrate the quality of our design work not just for this year but years to come.

Questions answered by Paola Leon, Founder & Lead Designer at Paola Leon Design.