Spaces for inspiration, conversation, and creative research.
In an increasingly digital landscape, physical documentation and print archives are serving a vital new purpose: creating dynamic third spaces where creative communities can gather outside of work and home. This week, The Plum Edit team visited two exceptional London venues that use their passion for print conservation to foster creative research, inspiration, and real-world intellectual exchange.
Both venues demonstrate that far from being a dying medium, physical print continues to offer a tactile richness and depth of engagement that screen-based media simply cannot replicate.
Reference Point
In 2012, Mark Wadhwa spearheaded a transformative project to revitalise the brutalist landmark at 180 Strand. Today, the building stands as a major creative hub in central London, housing renowned studios and headquarters such as Soho House, Dazed Media, and TikTok.
Tucked away inside this bustling artistic complex lies Reference Point, a sanctuary that invites visitors to step away from the fast-paced, corporate energy of the Strand and enter a dimly lit, floor-to-ceiling library filled with rare books, radical ephemera, and out-of-print publications.
Operating seamlessly as a library, a curated bookshop, and a bar, Reference Point finds its true soul in its unique archival collection:
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Unlocking Rare Collections: The space provides public access to rare, out-of-print editions that are usually locked away in private university archives.
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Underground Histories: The collection focuses on niche subculture zines, radical political pamphlets, vintage architecture monographs, and rare fashion publications.
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A Nighttime Social Hub: In the evenings, Reference Point transforms into a vibrant social space, hosting panel discussions, poetry readings, and music events that unite London’s creative scene.
Watch our full video below:
MagCulture
Nestled quietly in the historic print district of Clerkenwell, MagCulture appears at first glance to be a nonchalant neighbourhood newsagent. In reality, it serves as what Creative Review aptly called "the spiritual home of independent publishing."
Founded in 2015 by designer and editorial consultant Jeremy Leslie, the shop showcases a curated selection of over 700 independent titles sourced from across the globe. During our visit this week, we had the pleasure of meeting Jeremy in person and browsing through the extraordinary diversity of publications lining the wooden displays.
From hyper-niche art quarterlies to indie fashion titles and literary journals, spending a quiet morning flipping through these tactile pages reinforces just how powerful physical print remains.
MagCulture is far more than a retail storefront; it functions as an active editorial consultancy, an archival library, and an international community platform dedicated to supporting magazine creators. Their online publication regularly reviews groundbreaking magazine releases, publishes insightful Q&As with independent editors, and reports on global publishing industry trends.
Their flagship annual conference hosts talks from leading figures across both independent publishing and legacy media brands. Past speakers have included notable industry leaders such as Steff Yotka (i-D), Kathy Ryan (The New York Times Magazine), Thomas Meredith (Elle), and Emmet Smith (National Geographic).
They also run Flatplan Masterclasses, an innovative online educational program that offers aspiring publishers, graphic designers, and writers access to masterclasses, Q&A sessions with industry professionals, and practical group feedback sessions, allowing global participation regardless of location.
Spaces like Reference Point and MagCulture prove that despite decades of predictions declaring the death of print, physical media is thriving in new and meaningful ways. By combining physical archives with social spaces, bar setups, and educational programming, these London destinations offer a tangible remedy to digital fatigue.
Whether you are looking to research obscure subcultural design movements at Reference Point or discover your next favorite independent magazine at MagCulture, both venues offer an inspiring reminder of the enduring power of print.
Image Credits: MagCulture
