The Bradbury Factory, situated in Gillett Square, Dalston, UK, has recently reopened its doors to both new and existing tenants. This redevelopment includes a renovated 600 square meters of affordable workspace, replacement of ten mini retail units, and the addition of nearly 500 square meters of new workspace through a two-story expansion.
As one of the capital’s most distinctive community-centered public spaces, the Bradbury Factory exemplifies the future of this type of development.
The redevelopment aims to preserve the original building’s optimal condition, including its current tenants, while providing additional flexible spaces to accommodate diverse businesses.
A new 10-square-meter ground floor retail cabin faces the square and features a fully openable glass façade. This is further secured by specially shaped metal doors that ensure safety and privacy. When open to the public, these individual spaces can be transformed with vibrant signage to attract attention.
The original brick and stone structure of the Victorian-style terrace has been preserved and renovated. These spaces now serve as small to medium-sized workspaces ranging from 10 to 36 square meters. Meanwhile, the existing shops, bars, and restaurants facing Bradbury Street remain intact.
An outdoor terrace with a canopy provides access to the upper-level units. The space is enhanced with a wild dining table, evergreen ferns, and climbing plants designed to encourage tenants to gather year-round and foster interaction with the square.
On the third floor, the new workspace includes a private mezzanine accessible via a south-facing outdoor platform.
__AI_S_SC_0_Studio has introduced a new brand and logo by adding an all-glass entrance alongside the preservation and enhancement of the existing building entrance. The stairwells and entrances have been repainted using shades of blue, magenta, yellow, and black, inspired by the CMYK printing color palette. This approach allows for the creation of artwork with four simple, contrasting colors, enriching the building’s visual identity.
This design reflects the building’s ambition to become a cultural and disciplinary melting pot, offering value greater than the sum of its parts. Elsewhere in the building, a simple color scheme of dark grey flooring and white walls allows tenants to personalize their spaces to fit their individual needs and styles.
The building is wrapped in a polycarbonate façade featuring a precision-rolled aluminum base and roof. This lightweight, reflective surface creates a distinctive appearance. Upon closer inspection from the exterior, the semi-transparent material reveals glimpses of the white-painted brick façade and terrace underneath.
The rear façade allows ample natural light into the workspace and rest areas. During the day, the outer layer reflects the ever-changing colors of the sky and surroundings. At night, interior activities are visible through the lighting, bringing the building to life.
Project Drawings
△ Base schematic diagram
△ First floor plan
△ Second floor plan
△ Third floor plan
△ Fourth floor plan
△ Fifth floor plan
△ Roof plan
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
△ Section diagram
△ Section diagram
△ Structural schematic diagram
△ Detailed drawing
Project Information
Architect: __AI_T_SC_0_Studio
Area: 1,578 m²
Project Year: 2022
Photographer: French+Tye
Manufacturers: IdealCombi, Jakob, RODECA GMBH, Russwood, Staco, Vectorworks, Velux
Project Management: Helios Project Management, Alex Smith
Project Team: Maegan Icke, Elena Gruber, Roxani Tseranidou, Margherita Zompa, Carolina Borgatti, Ezmira Peraj, Ainhoa Valle
Planning / Purpose / Building Function: Workspace, Commercial
Main Contractor: Vortex Interiors
Structural Engineer: Engenuiti
Mechanical & Electrical Consultant: Thornley and Lumb
Quantity Surveyor: Beacon Project Services
Planning Consultant: JMS Planning and Development
Interior Design: __AI_T_SC_0_Studio
Heritage Advisor: KM Heritage
Location: Dalston, UK
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