selgascano extends second home's london building with rooftop space

second home — the creative community that offers workspaces and private studios — has opened a rooftop space designed by madrid-based architecture firm selgascano. topping the organization’s building in spitalfields, east london, the terrace measures 15,000 square foot (1,394 sqm) and is surrounded by pools filled with aquatic plants. more than 800 tropical trees and plants are also included. the addition increases total floor space to 65,000 square feet, providing more room for creative companies and organizations.

the rooftop space has been designed by madrid-based architecture firm selgascano
image © iwan baan (also main image)

the new rooftop space extends the work of selgascano on second home’s original spitalfields building, which opened in november 2014. the new space has five private studios for large teams of up to 150 people (each with their own pool-filled outdoor terraces), as well as a rooftop bar, a cultural venue, and a public rooftop terrace with views across london. the internal ceiling of the large studios is covered with over 10,000 colorful felt hats, which provide noise insulation to help ensure a tranquil working environment.

the terrace measures 15,000 square foot (1,394 sqm) and is surrounded by pools filled with aquatic plants
image © iwan baan

‘companies based at second home grow 10 times faster than the national average, which is why we’ve opened this beautiful rooftop space so we can support them from startup all the way through to being a major business with 150 employees,’ explains second home co-founder rohan silva. ‘by harnessing aspects of nature — like the ponds and 800 plants — selgascano have created a place where teams can be happier, more creative and more productive, which is what second home is all about.’

the scheme tops the organization’s building in spitalfields, east london
image © iwan baan

‘what’s so brilliant about selgascano’s designs is that everything has a purpose – like the way the felt hats increase the surface area of the ceiling and create a tranquil working environment for larger teams,’ adds second home co-founder sam aldenton. ‘we’re thrilled to have a such a close working relationship with our architects – it’s a truly creative partnership, and every project we do together just gets better and better.’

more than 800 tropical trees and plants are also included as part of the design
image © iwan baan

the addition increases total floor space to 65,000 square feet
image © iwan baan

project info:

client: second home
architects: selgascano
location: 4th floor – 68 hanbury street, london E1 5JL
project size: 15,000 sqf (1,394 sqm)
environmental engineer: ritchie + daffin
contractors: E-core, laimar
total number of plants and trees: 800 (including aquatic plants)
total number of felt hats in the ceiling: 10,000
furniture: mid-century original chairs and lamps, howe 40/4 swivel chair designed by david rowland, selgascano tables, bar and internal and external curved seating areas
key materials: polycarbonate acryllic, wood, felt
sustainability: automated cross-ventilation system, low energy consumption LED light-bulbs, 100% green electricity used throughout