Workplace
Slate Asset Management
Designing a sophisticated London office for private equity firm Slate Asset Management
1 Floor
8 Week Programme
4,500 Sq Ft
The Challenge
To create a stylish, upmarket office complete with three meeting rooms, dedicated desk space, a tea point, and client lounge/workspace, in eight weeks.
The Solution
To create a stylish, upmarket office complete with three meeting rooms, dedicated desk space, a tea point, and client lounge/workspace, in eight weeks.
The Result
A stylish office that combines a contemporary look and feel with a sense of established, classic taste, drawing on Canadian inspiration but depicting a style and functionality that’s uniquely suited to their London team.
Reflecting their Canadian heritage and bringing style and sophistication to a boutique office in the heart of London, we worked with the global firm to design a space that would grow with the brand’s ongoing success.
Slate Asset Management is a global, private equity firm founded in Toronto, and now with 13 offices around the world. The real estate-focused, alternative investment platform approached us with a fast-approaching deadline for developing their new London office, with an eight-week turnaround. Moving from the ground floor of their previous office in Soho to a light-filled, boutique space on the fifth floor of a contemporary building near Regent’s Street, they wanted to prepare for growth and set the tone for the next phase of their development.
A highly considered office
Having already worked with a designer to create their space plans, the team came to Maris to adjust the details and refine the look, feel and organisation of the office to create a modern environment that was tidy, welcoming and sophisticated as well as forward-thinking.
The space needed to encompass a lot of features including three meeting rooms – one for up to 14 people and two for up to six people. There’s a collaboration space with a moveable TV screen, and instead of a reception area visitors walk into a lounge area/working space complete with a tea point that also has a Guinness tap.
Designing for the growth of their regional team
While Canada’s approach to desk space remains rooted in set desks separated by dividers, we wanted to align that company culture with a UK-centric team more oriented towards open plan. Our approach was to install sliding units so that individuals could have privacy as required, but also a sense of openness to work more collaboratively with a neighbour. This modular approach to furniture also meant that the space could be easily reconfigured for future growth.
Establishing a visual brand identity
Although the organisation of the space had somewhat been considered in advance, the aesthetic was yet to be established. We drew inspiration from their branding guidelines, using their green as a dominant feature. Attention to detail was key to the client and the sophisticated look they were aiming for. We perfectly colour matched the paint to their brand green, drenching the entrance including the lift, walls and ceilings and carpet.
In areas where the ceiling was exposed, we created a more dramatic look by painting the services black, resulting in a look and feel more akin to a member’s club than an office. We sprayed tea point green as well and reflected it with planting on opposite wall.
Mindful of the view from all angles of the office, we sought to create visual intrigue from every aspect. For example, where one of the meeting rooms looks out into the breakout area, we installed a beautiful wall covering of a forest in the mist, nodding to the company’s Canadian heritage whilst creating a point of interest.
Attention to detail
The office finish is high spec at every turn, using hard wood, leather and marble finishes as well as real stone tiling. We paid careful attention to custom joinery in the lounge using a sophisticated walnut veneer and brought in signature pieces of furniture such as artwork, beautiful table lamps and soft furnishings.
Bringing plant life into the space created a softness and connection with nature, also acting as an alternative approach to screening to create semi-private spaces. Finishing touches by the client included the use of Jo Malone scent throughout, resulting in a multi-sensory feeling of luxury from the moment you walk in.
The result is an office that feels unique and sophisticated whilst being contemporary and fresh, honouring the company’s Canadian heritage and creating space for them to evolve as they scale.