London Pub Interior Transformation
London | Commercial | 2024
As part of the First Hand & Draft Design Challenge Workshop, 2105 Interiors played a role in transforming the Super SATELLITE space within the New Acres Development in Wandsworth into a fully functional pop-up pub in just one week. The CRAFT & DRAFT Pub was constructed using recycled furniture sourced from the White Hart Pub in Whitechapel and construction waste from the New Acres development site. This project highlights our commitment to reuse over demolition, by repurposing materials to create functional, yet innovative spaces. We collaborated with 16 other designers to bring this concept to life.
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The design process began by considering the space’s temporary nature and the need to create a functional yet engaging atmosphere. We focused on designing a welcoming pub environment, carefully selecting sustainable materials and integrating them into the space’s overall aesthetic. The challenge was to work within a tight timeline while ensuring that the final design met both functional and aesthetic goals.
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By using repurposed furniture and materials, we reduced waste and brought history into the space. The design reflected the essence of the White Hart Pub’s past while incorporating contemporary elements, creating a space that felt both nostalgic and modern. The project was completed swiftly, demonstrating that sustainable design can be both practical and impactful, even in temporary installations.
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The final result was a vibrant, functional pub that served as a community gathering space for locals and visitors alike. This project reinforced the idea that with creativity and resourcefulness, even temporary spaces can be sustainable, innovative and meaningful.
This bespoke wooden bar counter is crafted entirely from recycled timber salvaged from the White Hart Pub in Whitechapel, including old stair spindles and table legs. These elements bring character and a sense of history to the pop-up venue, making the bar a true reclaimed centrepiece.
While the decorative front celebrates the heritage materials, the entire counter structure was built from construction waste salvaged on-site from the New Acres development. Later, we repainted the frame and finished it with repurposed tiles on the countertop - transforming discarded elements into a functional, welcoming focal point that invites conviviality and conversation.
We designed custom bar tables and matching stools, all crafted from construction-site leftovers. The stools feature original reclaimed upholstery paired with new legs made from wooden construction beams. For the tables, we cut playful cloud-shaped tops and paired them with reclaimed table legs sourced from discarded furniture. Once assembled, each piece was repainted in a single monochrome colour to create a cohesive, unified look. These upcycled designs provide functional gathering spots while blending nostalgia and innovation in a way that feels both resourceful and playful.
Against the reclaimed timber and industrial backdrop, the bold, Memphis-inspired wall mural becomes the project’s vibrant expression of postmodern whimsy. Striking geometric motifs and contrasting tones inject energy and personality into the space, honouring a design history that celebrates creativity and bold aesthetic statements. We chose this colourful, oversized mural as an easy yet impactful way to visually expand the space and to tie together the playful palette used throughout the furniture and other design details. The result is a statement feature that unifies the interior while reminding visitors that design can be as fun as it is functional.
A custom-made rug brings softness and tactility to the pop-up, introducing a playful, abstract pattern that ties into the Memphis-inspired elements of the design while adding warmth underfoot. Crafted from recycled fibres, it reinforces the project’s sustainable ethos and helps to visually zone the seating area.
We intentionally designed the rug in an unusual shape with rounded corners to soften the very rectangular layout of the space and to conceal the cold, metallic flooring - making the area feel more inviting and comfortable.
The plush red velvet bar stools bring a theatrical flair to the rustic setting. Refashioned from reclaimed offcuts, they became a defining element of the pop-up pub design. The rich burgundy tone of the velvet informed the broader colour direction of the space, inspiring us to weave this velvety red accent into other furniture and details for a cohesive palette. Paired with matching reclaimed timber tables, the stools strike a balance between bold colour and natural texture - showcasing how a single design choice can shape the character of an entire interior.
These Memphis-style pendant lights were handcrafted entirely from waste materials - an old sewage tube and a discarded bowl - proving that even the most unexpected objects can be transformed into striking design features. Their playful shapes and vibrant tones illuminate the space both literally and figuratively.
To ensure safety, we incorporated industrial-grade construction site lighting inside the fixtures, making them fully fire-safe. Suspended above the bar counter, they act as both a functional light source and a bold, conversation-starting focal point that embodies the project’s spirit of creativity and reuse.
A close-up of the reclaimed timber bar counter reveals the intricate warmth of the material - each grain, knot and variation telling the story of its past life. Raw, tactile and resilient, the wood carries the gritty soul of the original White Hart Pub, now reinterpreted with craft and care into a contemporary, sustainable feature.
To ensure it complemented the pop-up’s playful aesthetic, we painted over the timber, allowing its texture to remain visible while integrating it seamlessly into the vibrant, Memphis-inspired design scheme.
The completed “Craft & Draft” pop-up pub stands within Wandsworth’s New Acres development as a convivial beacon for the local community. From the outside, its vibrant design and welcoming atmosphere invite passers-by in, showing how temporary spaces can leave a lasting impression through creativity and connection.
To add intrigue, we decorated the floor-to-ceiling windows with Memphis-style geometric acrylic stickers. These playful patterns partially obscure the view inside, creating a sense of mystery that encourages curiosity and draws people in to explore the space.
A behind-the-scenes moment captures the designers collaborating and constructing on-site - an energetic snapshot of teamwork under pressure. In just one week, raw reclaimed materials were transformed into a vibrant gathering place, proving that even under tight time constraints, sustainable creativity can achieve remarkable results.
Here, we are crafting the bespoke oversized rug, a process that required half the team to assemble due to its sheer scale. The hands-on, collaborative nature of this moment reflects the project’s spirit: inventive, resourceful and deeply collaborative from start to finish.
The full transformation is captured from start to finish, documenting the energy, craft and problem-solving that brought the Craft & Draft pop-up pub to life. From raw reclaimed materials to a fully functioning hospitality space, the process reflects the project’s central values: sustainability, collaboration and a fearless embrace of design experimentation.
This time-lapse journey reveals not only the making of a space, but also the collective effort and creativity that shaped it.
Frequently asked questions
What are the key takeaways from this interior design transformation project?
This project was a collaboration that was fast-paced and low-budget, yet we still managed to craft a fun and functional space. Compared to other projects we’ve conducted, we found that quality and attention to detail can often be compromised when working under tight timelines and budgets. While this design challenge reflects our belief in reusing and upcycling both spaces and elements, it doesn’t fully embody the core principles of 2105 Interiors. We prioritise quality, attention to detail and precision, and believe that a slower pace often contributes to a higher standard of design.
What is Memphis style in interior design?
Memphis Interior Design style emerged in the 1980s. The Memphis Group, also known as Memphis Milano, was an Italian design and architecture collective founded by Ettore Sottsass. Active from 1980 to 1987, the group created postmodern furniture, lighting, textiles, carpets, ceramics and more, characterised by vibrant colours, geometric patterns and unconventional forms. The style challenges traditional aesthetics, emphasising creativity and whimsy over harmony. While not directly applied in this project, the Memphis influence can be seen in the use of bold, contrasting colours and unique shapes to create an engaging and dynamic atmosphere in the pub transformation. For personalised guidance, on how to incorporate Memphis design in your home, consider booking a consultation with us to explore how eclectic design can be tailored to your home.
What was the biggest challenge in transforming the pub interior design?
The biggest challenge was working within a very tight timeline - only 48 hours to transform the space. However, with a focus on innovation, we, the designers, were able to repurpose materials and collaborate with each other to meet the deadline. The project demonstrated how creative solutions can turn a temporary space into a functional and aesthetically appealing environment, even under time constraints.
Do you provide interior design services for commercial spaces?
While our specialty is residential design, we are open to taking on commercial projects as well. We approach each project with the same level of dedication and creativity, ensuring the space reflects both functionality and aesthetics.
What interior design services did the client chose for this project?
This project was more of a design challenge than a traditional project. We were tasked with creating the concept, designing the floor plans, sourcing waste materials and even building the furniture. It was a unique opportunity to demonstrate how sustainable design can be achieved under tight constraints.​
How much time did the entire interior design process take?
From start to finish, this project took just one week to complete. The fast timeline was a key part of the challenge, but we were able to successfully deliver a fully functional pop-up pub in this short timeframe.