A 15th-century painting of a studious priest became Threefold Architects' point of reference for the design of Airbnb's latest office, located in central London.
The office ? named The Stoa & The Fora ? takes over the entire floor of a building in Clerkenwell and is the third workspace that Threefold Architects has created for Airbnb in London.
Instead of rolling out the same aesthetic across each branch, the practice decided to base the interior scheme of the latest office on feedback accrued from staff members.

"Fairly soon after the completion of the original spaces, we undertook a survey-based usage study," the practice's director, Matthew Driscoll, told Dezeen.
"Then later, a digital occupancy analysis was commissioned to record how and when the various task points, meeting areas and social spaces were being used, which enabled us to understand which type of spaces had been successful," he continued.
"Furthermore, an extensive staff survey was undertaken to establish what each member of the team felt was their key priority for the new space in addition to providing us with a wish list," said Driscoll.

The resulting office is anchored by a covered walkway ? also known as a stoa ? that's crafted from fluted panels of Douglas fir, and punctuated by a series of arched doorways.
It takes direct reference from a 15th-century painting titled St Jerome In His Study by Italian artist Antonella de Messina. In the artwork, a grandiose church ...