x+why, People's Mission Hall

X+why, People’s Mission Hall in Whitechapel is the first workspace by x+why, and aims to create a series of spaces which unite purpose-driven businesses. The five-storey building delivers over 22,500 sq ft of creative working environments that reflect the client’s perception of coworking - a place that fosters greater purpose. The client’s ethos merges design, technology and wellness to offer its community of businesses a cultural programme designed to inspire members to recognise the link between people, profit and the planet. The site has a long history of philanthropy, community and social action. It was the location for the original Salvation Army Mission Hall, which supplied food to the local area and later became the Salvation HQ. This historical significance led the client to reinstate the building as ‘People’s Mission Hall’. Working within the shell of the refurbished existing buildings and modern addition, completed by Rivington Street Studio in 2018, Squire & Partners collaborated with sister branding agency Mammal to create an identity and design aesthetic true to x+why’s values. Inspiration was taken from the history of Whitechapel, specifically its heritage of tanneries and local markets, and its more recent reincarnation as an area for the arts and with a unique mix of cultures and traditions. Designs offset robust materials and raw finishes with a layer of comfortable seating, rugs and freestanding furniture to invoke a domestic and social atmosphere. Natural greenery, artwork sourced from local creatives and second-hand vintage pieces from nearby markets are also a key element of the workspace’s character. A market feel is invoked with booths flanked in striped panels, and flexible metal-framed elements used for bar and counter tops. The colour palette establishes a traditional oxblood colour alongside dark metal and natural timber finishes, combined with a series of bold colours on the workplace floors including blues, greens and yellows. At street level, a retail unit and café with lounge area leads to a reception for the x+why workspace. Beyond the reception area, members are provided with communal spaces including comfortable seating areas, a light-filled wellness studio, flexible event/presentation rooms, a ‘market stall’ area for pop ups, and ‘foam booths’ – acoustic screened booths made from recycled foam – all set around a central courtyard garden. Cycle storage and showers are also provided. On the first floor, workspace units are designed for small to medium businesses alongside shared meeting rooms, breakout spaces and tea points. Glazed panels between units and shared spaces encourage a sense of community. At second floor a flexible creative space is designed to host a variety of events, from workshops and presentations to social gatherings. Further workspace units and shared amenities are provided at third and fourth floors. Working within a Cat A shell, waste was minimised by using 90% of existing lighting, and original locations were retained for bikes, showers and tea points to minimise changes to the building infrastructure. This first x+why weaves Whitechapel’s local craft, community, multiculturalism and attitude of advancement into its design, creating a sense of place and somewhere that pushes the boundaries of how a coworking space behaves. Two months after launching, the space was 80% let with tenants who underpin x+why’s purpose driven business mission, including MuslimGiving, LIVI, The London Interdisciplinary School, B Corp and more. x+why, People’s Mission Hall in Whitechapel is the first workspace by x+why, and aims to create a series of spaces which unite purpose-driven businesses. The five-storey building delivers over 22,500 sq ft of creative working environments that reflect the client’s perception of coworking - a place that fosters greater purpose. The client’s ethos merges design, technology and wellness to offer its community of businesses a cultural programme designed to inspire members to recognise the link between people, profit and the planet. The site has a long history of philanthropy, community and social action. It was the location for the original Salvation Army Mission Hall, which supplied food to the local area and later became the Salvation HQ. This historical significance led the client to reinstate the building as ‘People’s Mission Hall’. Working within the shell of the refurbished existing buildings and modern addition, completed by Rivington Street Studio in 2018, Squire & Partners collaborated with sister branding agency Mammal to create an identity and design aesthetic true to x+why’s values. Inspiration was taken from the history of Whitechapel, specifically its heritage of tanneries and local markets, and its more recent reincarnation as an area for the arts and with a unique mix of cultures and traditions. Designs offset robust materials and raw finishes with a layer of comfortable seating, rugs and freestanding furniture to invoke a domestic and social atmosphere. Natural greenery, artwork sourced from local creatives and second-hand vintage pieces from nearby markets are also a key element of the workspace’s character. A market feel is invoked with booths flanked in striped panels, and flexible metal-framed elements used for bar and counter tops. The colour palette establishes a traditional oxblood colour alongside dark metal and natural timber finishes, combined with a series of bold colours on the workplace floors including blues, greens and yellows. At street level, a retail unit and café with lounge area leads to a reception for the x+why workspace. Beyond the reception area, members are provided with communal spaces including comfortable seating areas, a light-filled wellness studio, flexible event/presentation rooms, a ‘market stall’ area for pop ups, and ‘foam booths’ – acoustic screened booths made from recycled foam – all set around a central courtyard garden. Cycle storage and showers are also provided. On the first floor, workspace units are designed for small to medium businesses alongside shared meeting rooms, breakout spaces and tea points. Glazed panels between units and shared spaces encourage a sense of community. At second floor a flexible creative space is designed to host a variety of events, from workshops and presentations to social gatherings. Further workspace units and shared amenities are provided at third and fourth floors. Working within a Cat A shell, waste was minimised by using 90% of existing lighting, and original locations were retained for bikes, showers and tea points to minimise changes to the building infrastructure. This first x+why weaves Whitechapel’s local craft, community, multiculturalism and attitude of advancement into its design, creating a sense of place and somewhere that pushes the boundaries of how a coworking space behaves. Two months after launching, the space was 80% let with tenants who underpin x+why’s purpose driven business mission, including MuslimGiving, LIVI, The London Interdisciplinary School, B Corp and more.