Earthrise Studio by Studio McW: Sustainable Office and Living Spaces in East London

A Sustainable Transformation of Industrial Heritage

Located in the heart of East London, Earthrise Studio by Studio McW breathes new life into a historic 1924 shoe factory, transforming it into a thoughtfully balanced live-work space for climate activists and filmmakers Jack Harries and Alice Aedy. The 101-square-meter renovation merges heritage architecture with sustainable design principles, embodying a serene balance between creativity, functionality, and environmental consciousness.

The project serves as both a home and the operational base for Harries and Aedy’s media company, Earthrise, renowned for its storytelling around climate action. Studio McW’s intervention celebrates the building’s industrial fabric while introducing a natural, warm palette that fosters wellbeing and creativity.

Revitalizing History with Modern Functionality Studio McW has masterfully transformed a 1924 shoe factory in East London into Earthrise Studio, a versatile live-work space for climate activists and filmmakers Jack Harries and Alice Aedy. The project spans two floors, seamlessly integrating residential comfort with a dynamic, collaborative workspace for Earthrise, their media company.

The architects focused on preserving the building’s historic character—exposed steel windows, concrete beams, trusses, and a dramatic double-height pitched roof—while introducing a modern, natural interior palette.

Thoughtful Spatial Design The brief emphasized flexible spaces that could accommodate dinner parties, team meetings, photoshoots, podcasts, and creative events. Studio McW reimagined the entrance level, removing unnecessary partitions between bedrooms and dressing rooms to allow light to penetrate through glazed internal walls into the bathroom and utility areas.

Reclaimed timber stairs lead to an open-plan living area, where redundant overhead services were removed to maximize volume and openness. The kitchen was relocated to the rear, creating clear zones for work, relaxation, and dining while maintaining fluid spatial flow throughout the home.

Materials and Craftsmanship The interiors showcase Studio McW’s dedication to craftsmanship and sustainability. Custom oak and concrete joinery anchor the bright, neutral spaces. A central concrete island doubles as a dining bench, while a long concrete sideboard with oak cabinetry provides multifunctional storage, seating, and display for the couple’s art, photography, and international collections.

True to the studio’s holistic design approach, all walls feature toxin-absorbing, matte clay finishes, promoting wellbeing. A custom black mild steel balustrade allows natural light to filter through both floors, enhancing the sense of openness and connection.

A Narrative of Creativity and Connection Every interior detail at Earthrise Studio tells a story—artworks and prints by friends imbue the space with creativity, collaboration, and personal narrative, reflecting Harries and Aedy’s international travels and professional vision. The result is a harmonious blend of historic preservation, modern functionality, and environmentally conscious design.

All photographs are works of Lorenzo Zandri