BW: Workplace Experts is thrilled to have delivered the fit-out for Your Space; an evolution of the design of the Stephen Lawrence Centre in Deptford, London.

The successful delivery of this project for the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust (SLCT) is the result of a close collaboration with SLCT, the global architecture, design and planning firm Gensler and branding agency LBA, all donating their time and expertise to create Your Space, a mindful co-working environment designed to empower, inspire and support its users.

The new space represents progression; aiding the Trust in its vision to grow their work and secure Stephen’s legacy. Embracing natural daylight, connectivity and the need for collaboration, the design is an evolution of the enduring emotional response the centre evokes. With an open and bright interior concept, the new co-working hub is a manifestation of the emotional and physical healing process that the Trust’s represents..

Working across all three floors of the building, including the co-working space, the reception and the café area, Gensler focused on opening up the space to create a feeling of collaboration and flexibility within the co-working facility, whilst being sensitive to and retaining the spatial purity created the original design.

BW managed a total of 48 sub-contractors and 34 suppliers throughout the project, all of whom committed time and money to the project. This required fastidious planning and numerous meetings to ensure the smooth running of the build and maintaining the highest standards. This approach paid off with the delivery of a Defect Free Scheme at Practical Completion.

Sonia Watson, Chief Executive of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, said: Sonia Watson, Chief Executive of Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust said, “As we celebrate 20 years of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and commemorate 25 years since Stephen’s death we are also looking to the future and how the legacy of the Trust can be secured going forward. We feel Your Space is an excellent next step to realising the Trust’s vision and mission, offering entrepreneurs an affordable space for their businesses to grow, while all proceeds are reinvested into the Trust to support our work of providing training and inspiration to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. I’d like the extend a heartfelt thank you to all parties involved, including the team at BW, whose tireless work on the fit-out of Your Space has created a welcoming, spacious and flexible working space, which we are excited to open today.”

Peter Flynn, Contracts Manager at BW: Workplace Experts comments:  “This was a tremendously satisfying project to be involved in, it is a space that makes a difference. The refurbishment of this building will have a huge impact on the young adults looking to become architects, as well as offering training and mentoring to a number of high profile companies within the architectural world.”

Steve Elliott, CEO of BW: Workplace Experts comments: “It has been a privilege to have joined forces with Gensler and LBA to deliver this project for the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust. I have no doubt that this co-working space will support and inspire the next generation in a very practical way.”

Gensler’s lead designer on the project, Chris Crawford, said:Seeing the emotional reaction of the staff and alumni at the Centre to the reworked space, and knowing what a difference it will make, has been incredibly rewarding. I feel very privileged to be in a position to support talented young people achieve their aims, and that’s made this project so worthwhile and meaningful. We hope the new design will inspire those who experience it, as we have been inspired by working on it.”

Adrian Goldthorpe, CEO of LBA, comments: “For our team, this project has given us a unique opportunity to come together and grow as a team. I don’t think there is a single person in the office who did not contribute at one point or another to developing Your Space’s identity. There is an unparalleled sense of fulfillment that we all feel for having had the opportunity to contribute to the launch, cemented by the friendships we are proud to have developed with the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and their partners. It is with great confidence that we look forward to hearing the awe-inspiring achievements of the Trust and Your Space in the future.”

The launch of Your Space will help the Trust to take a new step towards realising its vision and mission by opening up to entrepreneurs and start-ups by providing them with affordable spaces to develop their ideas and create valuable support networks. The opening coincides with a range of high profile activities organised by the Trust to commemorate Stephen and celebrate the good that has been achieved in his name.

Photographer credit Gareth Gardener