he 37,000ft² of new floorspace responds to demand for contemporary office space in the Silicon Roundabout.

Echoing the building’s origins as a Victorian gramophone factory, the entrance includes ‘The Dream Machine’, a custom-made, steampunk-inspired reception desk. Designed alongside Mamou-Mani Architects, it consists of 3D-printed glowing flutes attached to the salvaged goods lift motor.

The entrance and lower floors create a sense of space and set the tone for the rest of the building, which remains sympathetic to its industrial past. Exposed services and black steel beams throughout act as a nod to the building’s history, while the otherwise neat, contemporary style caters for the tech and media companies which are highly concentrated in the area and require flexible working space. Terrazzo floors flow seamlessly throughout the building creating a unified, elegant look.

Large areas of glazing maximise the amount of daylight flowing into the interior. On the west elevation, powder-coated Crittall-style windows emulate the original fixtures. Brick was used as a key material to respect the surroundings and the 19th-century facade. Protruding patterns and a mixture of different colour bricks add detail and texture.

Maximising the floorspace was key, and Stylus now comprises six floors of column-free B1 office space. A new fourth floor includes a green roof with views over the vibrant area. Living walls both on the basement floor courtyard and roof terrace create a link to the large number of green spaces within proximity and make for pleasant break-out spaces for office workers. Improved amenities in the basement include cycle storage, lockers, showers and changing facilities, provided in line with BCO and council requirements.

Architect, Graeme Winestone, says: “This project came about because the client was really interested in the building. The challenge was how to bring it back to life for the busy media and tech community in Old Street, while still respecting the building’s Victorian past. We had the opportunity to put a really creative twist on it. The anachronistic feel of steampunk presented itself as the perfect way to connect the two eras.”