Interior architecture studio Holloway Li has reimagined the London office of creative agency Mother.
The design reinvigorates the existing industrial office space to feel contemporary and inviting, while maintaining Mother’s distinct personality. The result is a vibrant and cohesive design that nods to 1970s furniture design via the use of bold forms and colors.
How Holloway Li designed Mother’s multi-use headquarters
The multipurpose space transforms from a collaborative work environment, to a lunch hall, to a versatile gallery by night. A flexible open-plan dining area can serve various functions, while the reception and mezzanine create a space for collaboration.
The stainless steel structure of the existing reception desk was maintained and encased in a new translucent, glowing fascia, allowing the bespoke 13-foot monolithic desk to emanate a warm glow amid the industrial space. A backdrop of rich red curtains introduces a sense of drama and theatricality as well.
In the kitchen, “the objective was to transform the previously disjointed farmhouse-style kitchen into a cohesive area with high functionality and a distinctive personality,” says Alex Holloway, cofounder and creative director of Holloway Li. “We were tasked with the challenge of devising a layout capable of catering free breakfast and lunch to over 300 people a day.”
To address this need, the design incorporates two streamlined stainless steel kitchen islands that direct foot traffic while storing the functions necessary for a large office. Forest green cabinets contrast red display shelves, while Mother’s iconic red dining tables line the area for communal seating.
Meanwhile, the mezzanine is punctuated by an assortment of pink and orange T4 sofa modules—designed by Holloway Li and manufactured by furniture partner UMA—paired with red coffee tables. Here, the team preserved the “Wall of Mothers,” where portraits of every Mother employee’s mother are hung.
More from HD:
AvroKO Designs the Jay Hotel in San Francisco
What I’ve Learned Podcast: Mario Tricoci, Aparium Hotel Group
Meet the 2024 HD Women in Design Award Recipients
