The Import Building – London
Studio RHE in partnership with Trilogy Real Estate has completed the design for Republic’s the Import Building, a mixed-use office and amenities space located in London, England.
For Richard Hywel Evans, director of Studio RHE, the architecture firm leading this project, Republic represents a flourishing community. “It should be a joyous place to work, with a vibrancy that extends outside of traditional working hours,” he says. “As you get off the DLR, you’re looking at this really fun, energetic and vibrant space, which is a lovely place to be and a lovely place to go and work.”
Evans says his practice “worked from the inside outwards” when conceptualising Republic. Starting with the Import Building, which houses Deliveroo, The Gentlemen Baristas and high-quality furniture by Kontor, Evans says his practice has given a nod to the heritage of the site using an “industrial palette” of materials.
The architects have created a vibrant setting – with an ambient colour scheme, lighting and plants – but Evans is keen to stress that each unit is a blank canvas to play with. Tenants can adapt the building to suit their own needs. “The idea of the space is that it will become more visually elaborate over time as it becomes occupied,” he says. “People can express themselves using different colourations of light and different artwork.”
Architect: Studio RHE
Design Team: Trilogy Real Estate
Contractor: Galliford Try
Photography: Dirk Lindner
