CAN has completed the fit-out of its new studio workspace, located within the Grade II* listed Broadway Theatre in Catford, London. Designed and built by CAN, the studio serves as a design testbed and active canvas for design iteration, combining industrial components, custom furniture, and experimental material interventions.

Situated in the heart of Catford within a celebrated Art Deco landmark, the new studio workspace reflects CAN’s signature approach to unexpected materiality and creative reuse. Rather than imposing heavy architectural interventions, the project prioritises a method of careful removal and selective retention to expose the multiple layers of the buildings continuing evolution.

To create a dynamic visual environment, the studio features walls painted in high-contrast tones. A hyper-orange, fluorescent paint wraps half of the studio, while off-lilac walls provide a magnetic surface for continuous pin-ups, reference sessions, and rapid design iterations.

At the heart of the workspace are custom-designed desks and a central meeting table designed and made by CAN. Built using structural aluminium extrusions topped with back-painted white glass, the clean metallic frames provide a backdrop for the CAN designed SAVO desk chairs (see Exquisite Chair). All the desks and table are set on castors for easy re-arrangement. Galvanised steel shelving units frame the main workspace and display material samples, architectural models, and the research library.

Rather than removing or concealing the existing suspended ceiling, CAN adapted the overhead grid by stripping away existing foam panels and installing a patchwork of exposed services, perforated metal grills, and vibrant yellow panels. This intervention provides additional volume while celebrating the raw, mechanical layers of the building's infrastructure. It sits in contrast to the original, ornate, steel windows that were stripped of their secondary glazing and refurbished. The eighties carpet tiles were removed to reveal a parquet floor that was sanded back and treated.

A compact kitchenette features aluminium scaffolding from a previous project paired with ripstop silver curtains, stainless steel hanging rails, and a stormboard top—showing how everyday utilitarian elements can be repurposed for high visual impact.

Photography by Jim Stephenson.