Having outgrown their original head office in London, Alpha Group, a financial services company, teamed up with Pattrn, Ikon, and Narrative, to design their new office in Paddington. The objective was clear: Alpha wanted to create a workspace that employees would look forward to visiting every day.

The client’s focus was on the well-being of the people occupying the space. However, one immediate challenge presented itself to office design & furniture company Pattrn, design & build fit-out contractor Ikon and their project partner, design studio Narrative: the building’s layout segregated the different departments.

The solution was to create a large social area where people could gather to dine, lounge, or work in a relaxed, inviting setting. A prominent feature is the 20-meter-long bar, which creates a friendly atmosphere that embodies the company culture.
“Alpha is a social family. You can see the camaraderie when you walk through their existing office, and we wanted to bring that same sense to the new office.”
– Christina Morgan from Narrative

Icons of Denmark was tasked with delivering chairs for two pivotal spaces within the Alpha Group office: The social area and the boardroom. From formal to informal environments, both spaces share a common objective of bringing people together, encouraging collaboration, and fostering connections.

The Sky 4 Star Castor Base with Arms, chosen for the boardroom, is designed to provide comfort and support during extended periods of sitting. In the social area, the Sky Barstool High Back offered the best solution with its elegant profile and high seat that fits seamlessly with the distinctive bar setting.

Material selection was crucial for the client and a focal point in the design of the new office space. The building features robust concrete and steel elements, but thanks to its floor to ceiling windows nature is invited in, creating a harmonious contrast.

This harmony continues with the introduction of biophilia and natural materials within the space, as seen in the social area where the Sky Barstool is joined by the Katla chair. Katla is made of powder coated steel and clear lacquer oak which speaks to the vision of balancing the building’s industrial look with nature.