THISS Studio has transformed a former industrial site in Shoreditch, London, into a versatile office and creative space for Salt, an independent PR studio. Rather than using mass-produced contract furniture, the team adopted a strict reuse policy, sourcing second-hand and salvaged materials either online or directly from the site. This approach not only reduced environmental impact but also allowed the space to take on a distinctive, layered aesthetic defined by practicality and creative resourcefulness.
The interior features a warm, neutral palette of creams, browns, and beiges, offset by visible metallic hardware. Although the space lacks a dedicated meeting room, it remains highly functional, thanks to two large mobile tables—3.6 metres and 2.3 metres long—crafted by the studio. These tables were constructed from reclaimed steel catering surfaces found on eBay and topped with leftover cork edged in white American oak.
“We salvaged remnant pieces of wood and a scrap roll of cork for the desk and meeting tables,” said Celeste Bolte, founding director of Salt.
Adaptable Design for Multi-Use Functionality
Flexibility was a core design principle. The tables, mounted on castor wheels, easily shift positions, enabling the space to change roles throughout the day. During working hours, they function as shared desks or lunch tables. After hours, they can be moved aside, opening the area for talks, events, or photoshoots.
Storage pieces were also reimagined. Bookcases that now hold Salt’s media collection once served as butchers’ shelves. They were acquired through Gumtree, aligning with the project’s sustainable ethos. Similarly, the kitchen’s original skeleton was retained and only partially updated. Rather than replacing everything, the team kept old cabinet frames and passed along surplus pieces—like a sink and cabinet fronts—for reuse elsewhere. Only two new cabinets were introduced, and chocolate-brown fronts made from Valchromat, a recycled softwood-fibre material, unified the kitchen design.
“The constraints actually became opportunities – introducing productive friction that sparked creativity and innovation, rather than assuming all materials were readily available,” said THISS Studio.
Spatial Division Through Textiles and Colour
Instead of installing permanent partitions, THISS Studio used soft zoning to create defined areas within the open-plan layout. A sheer patchwork curtain by textile designer Georgia Bosson separates a workspace under a lower ceiling. Made from end-of-roll linen, the curtain hangs from structural steel beams, which were repainted in a terracotta hue to soften the space’s industrial edges.
The overall result is a working environment that is both functional and deeply personal. According to Salt, the approach demanded flexibility and patience, yet it yielded a one-of-a-kind space with authentic character.
“Designing in this way required a flexible vision, as well as time and patience for sourcing and a little bit of good luck,” said Salt.
“From second-hand and inherited materials, the studio has been shaped by what could be sourced at the time. As a result, Salt HQ is inherently unique with an authenticity and depth that could not have been replicated with entirely new materials.”