Apex forms one part of a 4-part development called Tribecca, a new purpose-built lab offering in Kings Cross by Reef Group.

The key driver for the scheme was to create a supporting amenity space that gave the building a unique identity through a layering of varied spaces and uses. The client brief required a reception and entrance sequence befitting the scale and grandeur of the building it serves, whilst delivering a human scale and quality that moved away from the corporate and leaned into the timeless.

The challenge was to deliver a softer and welcoming space, whilst considering the impact of high use, multiple user groups, and delivering a scheme that looks as effortless on day one as it should do in a decade. A scheme that isn’t designed to be re-worked in 5 years, but protected for the long term.

The design sought to celebrate and enhance the high ceilings and generous proportions of the space, embracing the interplay between the modern and heritage elements of the base build architecture to create an elegant and timeless interior.

A carefully considered material palette introduced warmth and tactility through timber panelling, which was contrasted with contemporary finishes such as bespoke terrazzo and stainless steel, creating a dialogue between tradition and modernity.

Sustainability was integral to the material selection. The bespoke terrazzo, crafted by London-based maker Altrock, was produced using marble tiles reclaimed from the original reception, giving new life to existing materials and embedding the project’s sustainable ethos within its fabric.