Tony Chambers in praise of London's co-working spaces

For the best views of London’s skyline, look to The Office Group’s London Bridge site, on the 24th and 25th floors of the Shard. The space, by Archer Humphryes, is populated with plush seating in vibrant hues that soften the stark lines of the Renzo Piano building. Thirteen further co-working spaces from the group include landmark locations such as David Chipperfield’s Gridiron Building at King’s Cross.

A raw, industrial aesthetic prevails at Walthamstow’s Central Parade, a 1960s office building that has been transformed into a cultural and creative hub by Gort Scott Architects. But if you seek more luxurious digs, try Club Zetter — part of the Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell, designed by Russell Sage Studio. Finally, Spring Place, which became one of Manhattan’s hottest spots when it debuted last year, is planning to come to London. It may be a while before it arrives, but I’m sure it will be worth the wait.

The EXPERIENCE

That most ubiquitous form of self-expression the selfie is getting its first-ever exhibition treatment, at the Saatchi Gallery. Opening on 31 March, it showcases self portraits by prominent artists from the 17th century to the present day, including Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Cindy Sherman and Chuck Close, alongside new works commissioned to 10 young British photographers. To ramp up anticipation, exhibition sponsor Huawei recently organised a selfie competition on social media — check out the entries at #SaatchiSelfie.

The TECHNOLOGY

Following on from the much-lauded Serif TV by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Samsung has again collaborated with a leading industrial designer to reinvent home entertainment. Its new ultra HD TV by Yves Béhar resembles a sophisticated picture frame, with a bezel in white, black or wood veneer. When not in use, the display switches to ‘Art Mode’, featuring a rotation of static art works by the likes of sculptor Tobias Rehberger and photographer Todd Eberle.

The PERSON

​London-based Cypriot designer Michael Anastassiades imbues geometric forms with a poetic quality. From sculptural seating for Herman Miller to chandeliers that nod to Alexander Calder’s mobiles, his work is uncompromisingly minimalist and exquisite. For the upcoming Milan Design Week he will be releasing four lighting collections to mark the 10th anniversary of his eponymous brand, as well as new work for blue-chip design gallery Nilufar.

The BUILDING

In a few weeks, the Experimental Group, which brought us the effortlessly hip Experimental Cocktail Club and Compagnie des vins Surnaturels, will be launching its first hotel in London. The Covent Garden site features 18 unique rooms and suites by French designer Dorothée Meilichzon. Henrietta restaurant, set on the hotel’s lushly vegetated mezzanine, will serve seasonal, French-inflected cuisine by Ollie Dabbous and a locally inspired cocktail menu by drinks historians Jared Brown and Anistatia Miller.