THE BRIEF
Located within a Grade 2 listed building in Shoreditch, the beating heart of London’s East End, technology consultants Natilik wanted a multi-purpose venue that could adapt to different business activities, from client meetings and training events during the day to corporate entertaining after hours.
Following a series of collaborative workshops to understand the complex requirements of the business and to explore styling possibilities, workplace design and build specialist Gemco Contracts has created an interior that not only encapsulates the innovative spirit of the Natilik team but also offers timeless elegance and practical versatility.
Client: Natilik
Interior Designer: Gemco Contracts Ltd
Flooring: Art Select Blond Oak Parquet, Heritage Collection Lansdown
Blond Oak Parquet from our Art Select collection.
THE CONCEPT
The interior features an adaptable layout that can be used either as an open plan space with breakout zones or separated off into smaller areas with curtains.
Greg Carr, managing director of Gemco, said: “Installing a statement bar-come-reception was the ideal solution to the flexibility this business needed. This area can be effectively utilized as a reception or equally as a barista station, juice bar or after work mixologist hub.
“Bespoke bars are becoming more and more popular as employers strive for a balance between productivity, wellness and face to face interaction, providing the perfect hub for colleagues and clients to connect and collaborate outside the confines of the usual meeting room.”
Lansdown from Heritage Collection.
THE LOOK
In keeping with the historic nature of the building, exposed brick walls sit alongside clean white walls and industrial structural elements. Classic Blond Oak parquet flooring from the Art Select range has been installed throughout the main open plan zones, introducing a warm natural atmosphere and a sense of flow.
The central reception-bar area is visually separated using the striking geometric pattern of Lansdown from the Heritage Collection, with its clean and contemporary grid of square tiles in Nero and Lace, highlighted with a bold Azure inset and a complementary border.
Greg added: “These offices are situated in the basement and so don’t have any natural light but by specifying Karndean flooring we have introduced the look of natural materials to support employee wellbeing. With very similar tile thicknesses we could easily blend an oak parquet design with an inset zone of geometric tiles. The bar has become quite a talking point. It provides a wow factor, engages employees and puts visitors instantly at ease.”
