SYGNIA
Asset Management
Size:
1,500 Sq Ft
Services:
Interior Design, Furniture, Project management, CAT B Construction
Duration:
10 weeks
We were appointed by a South African-based asset management company, Sygnia, to deliver their first UK-based office. Founded in 2003, Sygnia is an innovative FinTech company focused on the provision of multi-management, index tracking, and administration solutions to institutional and retail clients worldwide.
Their new London home, located at the prestigious address of 24 Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, is 1,500 sq ft – a condensed space boasting the addition of a luxury roof terrace. Although compact, with smart design and space planning, a lot was achieved within this sought-after location.
The client had a very clear view of what they wanted and what they liked. There had to be that same visual identity between this office and their offices in South Africa. We cultivated elegance and a clean aesthetic set within a welcoming and comfortable space.
The flooring is relatively simple with traditional materials, such as marble together with timber flooring. There is a link with tradition but incorporating a modern approach throughout. Many of the elements specified are entirely bespoke to Sygnia, such as the handmade Danish light fittings.
We didn’t want for any one finish or single element to be overpowering or to stand out too much. It was important that everything was cohesive and balanced, and that the space presented an exceptional finish whilst still being durable and practical.
The flow of the space had to work well and offer some privacy as well as collaborative, open areas. The Sygnia team is mobile and comes together from different offices in different countries. They needed a system that could allow them to simply plug in and start working – so we’ve used the Humanscale M/Connect, which works well and is unobtrusive.
The colour palette throughout the space is largely fresh and neutral, with natural timbers, white and greys to the fore. We’ve used two colours – navy and orange – in subtle ways, while the rest are neutrals. For example, we added navy velvet wall panels to the walls in the boardroom – this is not just a decorative feature, it also enhances the acoustic properties in that space.
Coordinated brass inlays and leg details throughout the office finalises the overall elegant refined look and feel of the design. We kept the space as open as possible, as Sygnia did not require individual cellular offices. The only enclosed space is the boardroom. Within this, there is an array of various settings, from the smart conference room, lounge area, breakout kitchenette space and open workspace.
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