The Rabbit Hole
What
Co-Worker Space
Sector
Office
Location
Exeter, Devon
Size
178 sqm
Start
Venaspace acquired The Mount on Paris Street, Exeter, as part of their expansion strategy. The upper levels were designated for corporate rentals, while the basement served as an archive storage area.
Revisionr was tasked with creating a design to transform the basement into a co-working space for the building tenants. The essential components for the space included a blend of small start-up offices, flexible rental work areas, and a bar.
Process
The existing space was in a dilapidated condition. Previously it had been used as archive storage, but had long since been abandoned, leaving the entire basement as an unfinished shell.
Considering the tight budget and timeline, a design was proposed that highlighted the industrial character of the space. The floor, ceiling, and exposed services were retained, repurposed where possible, cleaned, and sealed. A mixtre of modern LED commercial lighting with industrial feture pendants was added, along with a mixture of furniture that supported various work and meeting arrangements, catering to a wide range of working possibilities.
In addition to work areas, it was essential to create spaces that fostered a social atmosphere. A bar was positioned as a welcoming point, and a pool table was placed at the back of the space. Various soft seating options were located in key locations alongside private glass-fronted offices and a large communal workbench.
During the fit-out, an additional room became available, allowing for the creation of a small open fronted meeting space. To enhance the eclectic feel of the area, the walls were covered with faux plants, accentuated by recessed lighting.
The client offers this space to tennants on an ad-hoc bookable baises as well as informal drop-in usage. The bar comes into it's own for Friday evening beer nights. the beer tap on the end of the counter being a special focal point.
