Jack Harries and Alice Aedy have been living in their converted shoe factory for just over a year. The couple—who are climate activists, filmmakers, and founders of the media company, Earthrise Studio—purchased it through The Modern House in 2019. “The character of the building really drew us in,” they explain. “We knew that with some attention and repair it would make a perfect live-work studio.”
![jack harries and alice aedy in work mode. 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/studio-mcw-earthrise-portrait-2-733x550.jpg)
That attention was bestowed upon it by Studio McW. “We found Studio McW online and immediately connected with their projects,” says Jack. “We liked their approach to natural materials and focus on creating functional spaces. We had a challenging brief to create a multidisciplinary space that could be a home, a place to entertain and a functioning film and photography studio, but Studio McW have gone above and beyond to deliver our dream space.”
We take a tour:
![part of a historic shoe factory built in \19\24, the buildings’ original 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/studio-mcw-earthrise-window-detail-733x977.jpg)
Their brief was simple and the deadline tight (work began in November 2020, and was mostly complete by May 2021). The couple needed a practical layout across both floors— including plentiful storage, a sociable kitchen space and a utility area. “We live and work in the flat, so we wanted a space where we could host our team each week, record podcasts and interviews, spend time with friends and enjoy quiet moments,” Alice explains. “We also wanted to restore the original warehouse character in a very respectful yet modern way, so we incorporated natural and salvaged materials where possible.”
![the entrance to the former shoe factory in hackney, east london. 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/studio-mcw-earthrise-front-door-733x977.jpg)
![the communal stairwell. 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/studio-mcw-earthrise-stairwell-733x977.jpg)
![the glowing entryway to earthrise studio. 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/studio-mcw-earthrise-entrance-733x977.jpg)
![studio mcw began at entrance level by opening up the existing partitioned bedro 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/studio-mcw-earthrise-bedrrom-733x978.jpg)
![heading up, reclaimed timber stairs lead up to an open plan living space. custo 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/studio-mcw-earthrise-stair-detail-733x550.jpg)
![on the upper level, a maze of redundant overhead services were stripped back, w 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/studio-mcw-earthrise-featured-image-733x550.jpg)
![studio mcw anchored the bright neutral interiors with custom oak and concrete j 25](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/studio-mcw-earthrise-dining-table-733x550.jpg)
![\2\20;timber, concrete, steel, and clay are the main materials used in t 26](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/studio-mcw-earthrise-portrait-733x977.jpg)
“Spanning just over 100 square meters, we designed Earthrise to work very hard to support Jack and Alice’s busy lifestyle, yet offer a serene, peaceful environment.” says Greg Walton, co-founder of Studio McW. “We carefully designed the spatial flow to craft spaces and built in furniture that offer multiple uses, while feeling clean and clutter free.”
![there\2\17;s space for concealed clutter and considered curation in the 27](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/studio-mcw-earthrise-kitchen-shelving-733x550.jpg)
![a long concrete sideboard with oak cabinetry and shelving runs the full length 28](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/studio-mcw-earthrise-side-cabinet-733x977.jpg)
![exposed brickwork denotes the transition from dining/work space into living spa 29](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/studio-mcw-earthrise-kitchen-drawers-733x550.jpg)
![the slubby linen corner sofa and beni ourain rug create a tactile, relaxed livi 30](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/studio-mcw-earthrise-sofa-area-733x550.jpg)
![“we paid special attention to the play of light and material junctions a 31](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/studio-mcw-earthrise-sofa-detail-733x977.jpg)
“The apartment now seamlessly facilitates many aspects of our lives,” explains Jack. “During the day the space operates as a studio allowing us to host our team whether it’s for meetings or filming interviews and podcasts, whilst in the evening everything disappears into cupboards and it becomes the perfect entertaining space for friends and family.”
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