SODA Studio Transforms Art Deco Building into London Workspace Centered on 'Hearth' Concept

SODA (Studio of Design & Architecture) has transformed a 1920s art deco structure located on Great Titchfield Street in London's West End into a sleek workspace known as Elsley House. Commissioned by Great Portland Estates (GPE), the design reimagines the classic 'family hearth' as a central tea area, encircled by a solid-surface kitchen and communal seating featuring blue-stained timber tables. Named after local metalwork artisan Thomas Elsley, whose work often embellished fireplaces, the building's design draws on historical significance. Architect Evelyn Sung notes that the hearth concept has long served as a communal space for warmth and storytelling. The interior showcases soothing colors, natural materials, Crittall banding, and custom furnishings, complemented by a basement gym with a yoga room draped in a Maharam curtain and an outdoor courtyard adorned with patterned tiles and greenery. The façade's art deco geometry is reflected in the interior surface patterns, aiming to create a modern workplace that honors the building's heritage and the surrounding area.