A new members’ club enlisted a London-based design studio to deliver the architectural and interior design scope.
Words By Emily Martin
Images By Ed Reeve
PROJECT INFO
Client Loom Club
Architect Kasawoo www.kasawoo.com
Size 500m2
Completion June 2024
AS A NEW MEMBERS’ CLUB, Loom was created to address the sense of isolation felt in today’s fast-paced world. Established by two Londoners looking to combat this issue, its first site – which launched last June – is located within The Ivories on Northampton Road, Islington. The art deco-style industrial building is home to a range of creatives including architects, chefs, dancers, designers and shoemakers. Featuring a social, fitness and coworking hub spread across two floors, the space is designed to encourage chance encounters among members and to promote the well-being of the user community.
Large, oval-shaped communal kitchen island, while, in the background, Kasawoo used a system of curtains to divide the space into zones; the club’s first site is located within The Ivories, Northampton Road, Islington
London-based design studio Kasawoo was enlisted to deliver the architectural and interior design scope of the project as well as design the wayfinding for the space. The brief was to design a flexible environment that could serve different purposes throughout the day and evening, with features that encourage interaction and adaptability.
‘Like most projects we do, the main challenge is to create something beautiful and unique while staying on time and on budget,’ says Darius Woo, co-founder and director of Kasawoo, on some of the challenges the project presented. ‘We saw the budgetary constraints not as a restriction but rather a challenge to do better with less. This is what inspired us to develop our “gentle” approach to building; one that minimises demolition and celebrates existing conditions. And this is also why we are especially interested in taking on small projects with big ideas. And by “small” we do not necessarily mean in terms of size, but rather restriction to resources, be it capital, skills or material. Trying to do more with less is something that we take quite seriously.’
Large, oval-shaped communal kitchen island, while, in the background, Kasawoo used a system of curtains to divide the space into zones; the club’s first site is located within The Ivories, Northampton Road, Islington
The studio’s approach centred on retaining the building’s industrial character while introducing modern elements to create a comfortable and functional space. The design team strategically opted to reclad only where necessary, up to 2.3m above the finished floor. Everything above this point, including the ceiling, was left untouched. This approach not only reduced material and labour costs, but also exposed a series of marks and imperfections. The design team began referring to these traces as ‘ghosts of the past’, recognising them as visible reminders of the building’s transformation over time.
Bringing members together in new and unexpected ways is one of the core values behind Loom Club. The front part of the main lounge is a lively social space with a large ovalshaped communal kitchen island for casual interaction. The back portion of the lounge is specifically dedicated to more quiet activities and is anchored by a series of phone booths cladded with sustainable, acoustical cork and washrooms featuring dark green tiles and marine-grade plywood walls.
Large, oval-shaped communal kitchen island, while, in the background, Kasawoo used a system of curtains to divide the space into zones; the club’s first site is located within The Ivories, Northampton Road, Islington
Kasawoo used a system of curtains to divide the space into zones, allowing for easy reconfiguration based on the needs of the members. The curtains, crafted with varying degrees of opacity, provide visual and acoustic separation while adding a unique aesthetic element to the design. Each of these zones is paired with a unique set of furniture that offers a variety of seating options for members to use according to their individual preferences.
The wellness area downstairs includes a spacious waiting room, changing facilities, and a large multipurpose space featuring soundabsorbing wood panels. A circular curtain allows for flexible use, whether for exercise in the morning or events in the evening. The changing rooms have white tiles, custom lockers, and marine-grade plywood vanities. Connecting the two floors is a staircase that was repainted in Loom’s signature terracotta. A new glass door on the ground floor creates a welcoming entrance.
The studio’s approach centred on retaining the building’s industrial character while introducing modern elements
In keeping with the community-driven nature of the project, Kasawoo collaborated with local design brands on the fit-out. The curtains were fabricated by the London Fabric Company, and the bathroom and changing room countertops are made by Foresso, a low-carbon timber terrazzo material made of waste wood sourced from trees felled in Britain and hand-finished in Birmingham. The kitchen cabinets were designed and fabricated by Holte Studio using sustainably harvested oak wood, and the kitchen island is clad with hemp fibre corrugated panels from Margent Farm in Cambridgeshire.
The material palette was driven by a conscious effort to use natural low-carbon materials when possible. The design team exposed the original brickwork and paired it with slotted wood panels, acoustical cork wall panels and plywood.
The studio’s approach centred on retaining the building’s industrial character while introducing modern elements
Kasawoo’s work on Loom Club exemplifies its ethos of ‘gentle’ architecture – minimising demolition while celebrating existing structures. By working with the building’s industrial character and embracing constraints, Kasawoo demonstrated that sustainable and innovative design can lead to impactful spaces. This project reflects their commitment to creating meaningful environments that resonate with local communities.
Kyriaki Kasabalis, co-founder of Kasawoo, comments: ‘As a start up, Loom Club is environmentally, socially and resourceconscious, an ethos we share at Kasawoo. The subtle yet distinct juxtaposition between the old building and its new lease of life became the foundation of the design approach throughout the project. We purposefully worked with mundane basic materials and closely collaboratively with our client, contractor and suppliers to craft a design solution that was more than the sum of its parts. We hope that Loom Club shows a different, more playful, and more local future is possible.’
KEY SUPPLIERS
Flooring
Amtico
www.amtico.com
Furniture
www.noo.ma
www.uk.noo.ma
Lighting
Artemide
www.artemide.com
Muuto
www.muuto.com
Ansell Lighting
www.ansell-lighting.com
Nordic Aluminium
www.nordicaluminium.fi
