Techspace Andrew Street

Project overview

When Techspace secured an exceptional opportunity on a 1970s office building at 9-13 St Andrew Street, London, we transformed it into their seventh location - a contemporary coworking space that embodies their distinctive brand and offers a high-quality working environment tailored to the needs of tech-led businesses. Through considered layouts, detailed finishes, and integrated technology, the building was repositioned as an attractive destination for innovative companies seeking a dynamic and future-focused workplace. We delivered a comprehensive transformation that turned a long-vacant building into a vibrant tech hub, implementing Techspace's “Distinctly Techspace” design language whilst celebrating the building's original architectural character. Completed during a challenging 16-week programme with incoming tenants moving in during the final weeks, this project demonstrates how strategic design thinking and collaborative problem-solving can unlock the potential of unconventional spaces Formed in 2012 in the heart of Old Street's technology ecosystem, Techspace has evolved from a small fledgling community of startups into a dynamic European community for pioneering tech. Based in London and Berlin, Techspace now includes 3,500+ members, 75+ forward thinking teams, six locations and 47 Techspace team members. Making every square foot count: The brief The vision was to create Techspace's newest London location in a building that didn't fit their typical profile - proving that great coworking spaces can emerge from unexpected places. We needed to transform a 1970s office building into a space that felt unmistakably Techspace. The challenge was multifaceted: accommodate 274 workstations whilst maintaining the spacious, quality environment Techspace is known for, implement their evolving “Distinctly Techspace” design standards to create immediate brand recognition, maximise capacity through strategic space planning, and deliver everything within a 16-week deadline with members moving in immediately upon completion. From dated offices to dynamic tech hub The new St Andrew Street location successfully transforms a compact building into a thriving coworking destination, creating a unified home for Techspace's tech community across the basement, ground floor and office floors 1 to 6. Reclaiming the ground floor The heart of the transformation lies on the ground floor, where we completely reimagined the layout. An oversized original staircase had dominated the space, consuming valuable floor area without delivering proportional benefit. Removing this and installing a more compact replacement unlocked the entire floor's potential. This reclaimed space allowed us to create what every Techspace coworking workplaces need: a central café bar that becomes the social heart of the building. Its central position draws people throughout the day, naturally encouraging the networking and collaboration that defines the Techspace experience. Creating the social hub The coffee bar centres the ground floor, with a feature mesh screen backdrop creating visual interest whilst defining the preparation area. Beyond the bar, a tucked-away seating corner offers a surprisingly quiet retreat despite the activity around it - consistently occupied throughout the day as members work and connect. The ground floor offers distinct zones for different working styles. The cosy corner features comfortable sofas for informal meetings or relaxed working and collaboration, whilst the front area lends itself to more direct 1:1 or singular use. Adjacent to the cafe is the upper mezzanine level, the space has a lower ceiling height but the design uses this to its advantage, a large library style table placed centrally sets the tone for a more focused working atmosphere with meeting rooms and a calm room easily accessible. This area maintains a visual connection to the buzz of the cafe, strengthening the sense of community Techspace cultivates.

What the client said

“OP delivered exactly what we required. The transformation has enabled us to create another distinctive Techspace location whilst working within a building that presented real challenges. Their flexibility proved invaluable - when we secured a fourth-floor tenant mid-construction, they adapted the design seamlessly. The quality of the finished workspace has exceeded our expectations, and our members love it.”