A Tech Company Breathes New Life into a London Paper Factory

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Jump Studios converted the factory into a bright office space with 100 desks and expansive social areas.

Photo by Gareth Gardner.

When Cloudflare, an Internet performance and security company based in San Francisco, decided to open its first London offices, it became intrigued with an old paper factory, just a stone’s throw from the Tate Modern. Jump Studios took the job of converting the factory into a bright, airy office space with 100 desks, expansive social areas, an outdoor terrace, and even an auditorium. The space at once plays homage to the building’s history with its “exposed bones,” while also reflecting Cloudflare’s smart and curious brand.

We reached out to the team at Jump Studios to find out more about the project.

Photo by Gareth Gardner.

When was the project completed?

2016

What is the total square footage?

7,000 square feet

What is the square footage per person?

70 square feet per person

What is the location’s proximity to public transportation and other amenities?

The office is close to both Southwark and London Bridge tube stations, as well as a quick walk to restaurants and shops.

Photo by Gareth Gardner.

Which furniture brands/dealers were used?

The furniture was sourced by Chase & Sorensen, and the worktops were bespoke design by Jump Studios.

What percentage of the space is unassigned?

Each desk is allocated to a person.

How is the company’s brand reflected in the space?

Jump Studios was deliberate in incorporating major elements of the Cloudflare ethos into their design, including a feature “graphic wall” that has been programmed to showcase live information from the Internet using both LED and 2D graphics. They also used the unconventional design of visible, “nomadic” coils to run the electric and data cords to work desks. Rather than the standard method of having IT wires coming from under the desk, these coils shoot down into the workspace, referencing the company’s tech involvement, while adding color and creating a “garage-industrial” feel.

Photo by Gareth Gardner.

What is the most unique feature about the new space?

The central OSB Spine which tells a story of who they are and how they work.

If the company moved out of a previous space, what was the hardest aspect of change for people?

They were previously in a typical serviced office, so they were quite eager and excited to move into this new space. We worked very closely with them to define the right type of space, so everyone was very excited to move in.

Photo by Gareth Gardner.

Please share any illuminating, surprising, or hoped-for results you might have gleaned from post-occupancy surveys.

As opposed to being greeted by random posters and paraphernalia, Cloudflare has curated the space to how we imagined. The team has carefully crafted the space as it was meant to be respecting the design very well.

Please talk about any other notable aspects of the project that make it unique.

The personal lockers are numbered in some algorithm that is far beyond my capacity to ever understand. Originally the space had very low accessible ceiling tiles and a raised floor system. Removing all of it exposed an amazing quality space. Being able to expose the concrete floor and omit the raised tiles was exciting; being an IT company, they weren’t shy to explore a bespoke infrastructure that worked for them, where traditionally the raised floor would be a non-questionable element.

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