ABSTRACT
The architects realised they needed to make spaces more flexible and ambiguous, empowering residents to find new uses themselves. Chapter King’s Cross was designed with this strategy in mind. Rooms come in different shapes and sizes, suitable for a variety of events and activities, but almost all of them double up as casual areas for lounging, socialising or studying. The design aesthetic reinforces the public nature of the space, while also referencing the heritage of the location. Much like King’s Cross station nearby, it looks like a Victorian railway concourse, with industrial lighting, a large oak waiting bench and a mosaic tile floor. Other details include mailboxes set into wood-panelled walls, textiles based on London Underground fabrics, and bespoke metalwork. This rich palette of materials and references continues through the communal spaces on the ground and first floors, where spaces offer more varied degrees of privacy.
