ProjectLondon Centre for Book Arts
ClientLondon Centre for Book Arts
ContractorU-Build
LocationLondon
CategoryCommercial, retail, office
StatusCompleted
A modular, timber fit-out built with U-Build, featuring a print studio, bindery, and shop
Ira Yonemura and Simon Goode, founders of London Centre for Book Arts (LCBA), had outgrown their original studio at Fish Island, and were looking to make more space for their growing public-facing shop.
Ira explains the brief, “We decided on splitting up what was a large open-plan studio into distinct areas: the print studio, bindery, shop and gallery space.”
Studio Bark's U-Build worked collaboratively with Ira and Simon to develop a playful and practical internal fit-out that would be both cost effective and reusable.
Re-modelling a dark, impractical factory layout
London Centre for Book Arts is situated in an old factory building with a quirky layout and limited natural light. U-Build established the natural flow through the space, then used a polycarbonate box system to create new areas whilst still allowing light to pass through.
The fit-out created private studio practice spaces, and an open-plan shop and gallery with views into the bindery and print studio.
The re-usable retail fit-out
The fit-out used U-Build modular timber boxes to deliver a bright, airy, tactile space that can be remodelled or relocated as required. As tenants of their current space, this offers LCBA reassurance that if they need to move premises in future, they can bring the whole fit-out with them, saving on build costs and retaining the distinctive character of their current space.
In this way, U-Build demonstrates a truly circular approach to fit-out that reduces long-term costs, material waste, and can be removed without damaging the existing building.
A New Chapter: Reconfiguring the London Centre for Book Arts in 2025
U-Build returned to LCBA in 2025 to reconfigure the space and add retrofit measures to improve its operational performance. A new box shelving unit system holds books, fabric rolls, and anything else that might need to be tucked away or neatly displayed. New insulation was added to support acoustic and temperature stability, using standard U-Build boxes with custom floor adjustments.
Thermal imaging technology captured the success of the modular internal retrofit, showing dramatic thermal performance improvements, delivering a compelling example of U-Build’s ability to transform drafty, dark warehouse buildings into comfortable, flexible commercial spaces.
About U-Build
U-Build is a modular building system designed by Studio Bark to offer a simple, sustainable self-build solution. It has been used across a wide range of applications - from commercial fit-outs and retrofits to home extensions and entire new-build houses.
The system is made in the UK using precision-cut, interlocking timber boxes that can be assembled by hand, with minimal tools and no damaging fixings. This makes the system ideal for demountable commercial retrofits, as well as scalable residential construction, temporary structures, and community building projects.
U-Build was created by Studio Bark in 2016, as a self-build solution for first-time home builders on Box House, with structural engineering by Structure Workshop and prototyping and testing by Cut and Construct.
“We were instantly impressed with the look and ethos of the project… The studio has an unusual layout, U-Build helped us to divide the space to encourage a natural flow for visitors to explore and engage” - London Centre for Book Arts
