Space House, the London office complex designed by the revolutionary Jewish architect Richard Seifert, became the meeting ground of a familial reunion this month.
Members of the Seifert family, including Richard’s son, John Seifert — who has followed in his father’s architectural footstep — visited the grade II listed building at one Kemble Street, which has been recently refurbished.
A Seifert family reunion at Space House (Credit: Peter Murray)
Seifert, the Swiss-British visionary born in 1910, is most renowned for designing the Centre Point tower and Tower 42 (previously the NatWest Tower) — once the tallest skyscraper in the City of London at 600ft.
In 1960, he designed Space House. Located in Holborn, the brutalist structure comprises two blocks, united by a shared aesthetic of concrete shells and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Space House exterior refurbished by Seaforth Land (courtesy of Seaforth Land/ the Seifert family)
The building serves as a symbol of mid-century modernism, combining innovative engineering with artistic flair and functional elegance.
Space House has now been carefully refurbished by Seaforth Land, in a project which has preserved its defining elements while introducing sustainability-focused enhancements, ensuring its relevance in the 21st century.
Space House interior refurbished by Seaforth Land (courtesy of Seaforth Land/ the Seifert family)
To mark the rejuvenation of the office complex, a reunion was held on January 8, bringing the family back together in its honour.
John Seifert and Seaforth CEO Tyler Goodwin at Space House (courtesy of Seaforth Land/ the Seifert family)
John Seifert’s firm is the force behind notable buildings including Radisson SAS Frankfurt and the Charles De Gaulle Airport Hilton Hotel, Paris.
Reflecting on his father’s work during the family’s visit, he said: “My father had an extraordinary ability to create structures that transcended time.
“Seeing Space House restored with such care reminds me of his commitment to both innovation and practicality. It’s incredibly moving to witness how this building continues to inspire.
“Buildings like Space House are part of our shared cultural heritage. It’s our responsibility to care for them, adapt them, and ensure their stories continue.”
Characteristic features of the office complex have been retained, like the ribbed concrete facades and the circular geometry of the structures, but refurbishments include integrated energy-efficient systems, improved interior layouts, and new communal spaces.
