We at OPM furniture were commissioned to make this reception desk. It is a compound curve molded to look seamless and finished with full gloss polyester lacquer. The desk, it's surrounding interior and the building it sits in were designed by Stiff + Trevillon.
The full story of Stiff + Trevillon's development of Portobello Dock can be read here http://www.stiffandtrevillion.com/assets/uploads/architecture_today_sept_08.pdf
Internally, the building is designed to BCO standards and meets a BREEAM rating of ‘very good’. It employs displacement heating/cooling ventilation via the floor void but windows can be opened for a mixed mode configuration. Concrete floor soffits are plastered and exposed, with elegant suspended up/downlighting fittings. There are only 2 internal circular exposed concrete columns on each floor. Two unisex toilets and a disabled toilet are provided to every floor, all finished to an unusually high standard for a building of this size and location. This obviously stems from Stiff and Trevillion Architects experience in designing high quality restaurants elsewhere.
Artificial lighting is carefully detailed into the building fabric and a great deal of thought has gone into those tactile elements which often determine the quality of design – handrails, stairs, finishes, reception desk and so on. Although not an extravagant building (the cost was less that £1500sq.m.) there is a feeling that money has been spent where it mattered, on judiciously placed artwork and a sumptuous reception desk for example, and costs were saved on less important elements such as the finishes to fire escape stairs.
Stiff+Trevillion makes elegant, human-centred architecture that stands the test of time.
Architecture is an inclusive, social profession: we work with clients, artisans, builders and bureaucrats to create tangible, three-dimensional outcomes. Our work is confident, unpretentious and tasteful, using simple materials in a painterly way to sit with poise within its context.
We believe design can deliver change. In the face of the climate emergency, our best action as architects is to make that change through our work, building on the fundamentals of volume and light, minimising waste and putting the existing fabric first.
