Overview
DENTON delivered a new London office for the investment arm of a global shipping group, creating a workplace that better reflects the company’s evolving business, refreshed brand and international profile. Designed to balance privacy for partners with stronger collaboration and hospitality, the completed space provides a more contemporary and welcoming environment for both day-to-day work and visiting colleagues.
The Brief
Following a period of growth through acquisition and the integration of smaller firms, the existing office no longer reflected the company’s identity, way of working or status as an international investment business.
The brief was to create a workplace that felt more aligned with the maturity of the organisation while responding to the practical needs of the team. Privacy was a key requirement, particularly for partners, but the office also needed to support better collaboration and provide a more professional setting for colleagues visiting from port cities around the world.
Just as importantly, the previous space lacked a clear arrival experience. The new office needed to make a stronger first impression, with a considered welcome that better matched the firm’s brand and position.
The Solution
The new workspace was designed to realign the office with the company’s refreshed identity while addressing the operational needs of a growing international business.
A series of private offices for partners formed a central part of the layout, alongside dedicated offices for visiting partners to support the firm’s global operating model. These private spaces were positioned along the perimeter to maximise access to natural light, while internal glazing and half-height partitions helped bring borrowed light into the central open-plan area, creating a brighter and more connected workplace overall.
The design draws on the company’s Scandinavian roots, taking cues from its offices in Norway and translating them into a more contemporary London setting. Timber panelling, lighter finishes and a calm, refined palette create an environment that feels modern yet grounded, supporting focused work while encouraging more informal interaction across the office.
A new arrival and waiting area was also introduced, replacing the lack of a defined welcome space and giving the office a more professional and considered front-of-house experience. The introduction of a new social tea point and informal breakout area also created more opportunity for informal interaction, helping the office feel more open, connected and welcoming.
Key Features
