SALT Workspace: A Sustainable Office Fit‑Out With Reuse Materials by THISS Studio

A Workspace Crafted Through Reuse and Purpose

In East London’s Shoreditch, THISS Studio transformed a 55 m² warehouse shell into SALT Workspace, a sustainable office fit‑out driven by reuse materials philosophy. Designed for independent communications studio SALT, the interior is flexible, warm, and resource-conscious—suitable for daily work, events, and photography.

Adaptive Layout for Work and Event Flexibility

The open-plan layout allows seamless transitions between team work, meetings, and social gatherings. Soft zoning is created through mobile elements and design interventions—a large patchwork linen curtain by Georgia Bosson softly divides spaces, improving acoustics and visually echoing industrial windows and columns. Rather than fixed partitions, the space relies on adaptable, modular elements shaped by function and light.

Reclaiming Materials, Reducing Waste

Every element in SALT HQ is second‑hand or salvaged. The former kitchen carcasses were reused and restacked to form storage, with just two new cabinets added. Cupboard doors were given new life on Gumtree and replaced with Valchromat panels. A stainless steel sink was rehomed elsewhere. Cork and white American oak offcuts from renovation leftovers became oversized tables atop repurposed catering table frames—with casters for flexibility. This approach saved approximately 700 kg of carbon emissions compared to a conventional fit‑out.

Material Honesty and Warm Atmosphere

Material palette champions raw and reclaimed finishes. Steel shelving salvaged from a butcher shop serves as bookcases. Steel columns and beams are coated in rust-toned sustainable paint by Bleo, the timber floor sanded and sealed with matte varnish to celebrate its grain. Thin steel sheeting subtly reflects light in kitchen joinery, uniting the reused material palette with industrial heritage. Lighting, chairs, and armchairs—sourced second‑hand from HAY, Arper, Ikea—complement the space organically.

Community and Craft at the Heart of Design

Design for SALT HQ was inherently collaborative. Local makers and salvaged materials shaped furnishings and ambiance. The result feels bespoke and layered with story—personal, adaptable, and deeply attuned to community. As Tamsin Hanke of THISS Studio noted, constraints sparked creativity; and SALT’s founding director Celeste Bolte emphasised that the space was designed not only for the company, but for its broader creative community.

A Model of Low‑Carbon, Design‑Led Workplace

SALT Workspace exemplifies how sensitive architectural practice can result in high-performance interiors without reliance on new materials. At 55 m², its spatial narrative is modest yet layered—an office that embodies sustainability, flexibility, and character. This project stands as avant-garde proof that thoughtful reuse and purpose-driven design redefine what a modern, ethical workspace can be.