Second Home sought to challenge the very definition of a workplace, moving away from corporate sterility toward a “homely,” vibrant co-working ecosystem. Spanning eight floors and 28,000 sq ft, this JCT Design & Build project was rooted in a bold Spanish architectural aesthetic that demanded total spatial reconfiguration. LFO was tasked with not only delivering the interior finish but executing a radical structural overhaul that included lowering the basement foundations by one meter, laying a new waterproof slab, and aligning the ground floor perfectly with the street entrance to create a seamless transition from the Clerkenwell pavement into the building’s heart.

Structural Engineering: The complexity of this project was centred on the building’s vertical circulation. To accommodate the new basement and ground floor levels, LFO completely reconstructed the main concrete staircase and modified the entire lift shaft to install a brand-new lift car. On the exterior, we overhauled the building’s frontage to install massive, double-height five-meter windows, providing passers-by with a dramatic view of the newly formed setback mezzanine floor. Furthermore, we replaced the entire roof structure to provide the necessary support for a new rooftop plant area, which houses the high-capacity mechanical systems required for an eight-story multi-tenant environment.

World-First Innovation: The Perspex Workspace – significant challenge of the project was the structural weight limitation of the existing floor plates. To achieve the architect’s vision of a light, fluid workspace while maintaining strict acoustic separation between individual tenant offices, LFO developed a world-first solution: Perspex screen walls. These lightweight, translucent partitions were engineered to replace traditional heavy glass walls, significantly reducing the load on the building’s structure without compromising on the privacy or acoustic integrity required for a professional co-working environment. This innovative use of materials has since become a benchmark for weight-sensitive refurbishments.

Co-Working Ecosystem – Beyond the structural and technical feats, LFO delivered a full suite of high-end amenities designed to foster community and wellness. This included a vibrant new ground-floor bar and reception hub, as well as luxury basement WC and shower facilities. Every floor was finished to a bespoke specification, blending the “wacky” aesthetic with practical co-working functionality. By balancing heavy-duty construction—such as structural strapping and foundation digging—with delicate, avant-garde interior design, LFO transformed a traditional Clerkenwell building into a world-class destination for London’s creative and tech entrepreneurs.