Common Design Studio put a contemporary spin on the design conventions of financial institution buildings when creating the headquarters for cryptocurrency agency Copper inside a Richard Rogers-designed workplace in London.

Copper – a fintech firm that helps monetary establishments to securely retailer and commerce cryptocurrencies – wished to interrupt away from London’s monetary districts and as a substitute arrange its workplace inside Soho’s Broadwick Home.

The constructing was initially accomplished by the Richard Rogers Partnership in 2000 and was renovated final 12 months earlier than Copper introduced in Common Design Studio to plan the interiors.

The native follow launched acquainted supplies similar to marble and walnut into Copper’s HQ to “present a way of assurance”.

These are contrasted with extra up to date parts together with chrome steel, kinetic screens and dynamic gentle bins that assist to create “an uncanny and cinematic atmosphere”.

“The design strategy attracts partially upon historic icons of banking structure via a recent lens, to create a well-recognized house that feels secure, while additionally pushing the boundaries on expectations,” the follow stated.

“With the ability to comprise that inside an architectural landmark may be very particular.”

The foyer options Jesmonite wall panels, referencing the marble-wrapped entrances discovered in additional conventional banks.

Against this, a gold desk, alcove and gridded lightbox ceiling give a cinematic really feel to the foyer and “allude to a number of the extra surprising design parts additional up the constructing”, in keeping with Common Design Studio.

“This concept of bringing collectively two distinctive finishes which are totally different recurs all through the constructing, to echo the secure and trusted nature of finance with a brand new digital future,” the follow stated.

Rogers’s unique architectural idea for the constructing focussed on transparency, with glazed facades offering excessive ranges of sunshine penetration.

Common Design Studio sought to work with this imaginative and prescient, creating light-infused workspaces with a give attention to pure supplies.

“The primary workspaces for the Copper group are gentle, with a connection to the road degree across the perimeter, enjoying to the strengths of the unique facade design,” the studio stated.

“However given the character of what Copper do, a component of privateness was additionally important.”

To attain this, the studio designed a extra opaque “Copper Core” that runs via all the constructing, punctuating every flooring and containing personal areas similar to assembly rooms and quiet rooms.

Set away from the outside facade, the assembly rooms within the core of the constructing are inevitably much less light-filled than the principle work areas.

To create areas that also felt inviting, Common selected to panel the partitions with walnut, harnessing the tactility of this pure materials so as to add a sense of security and familiarity.

Chrome steel thresholds have been added to create a way of arrival, as group members transfer away from basic working areas into the Copper Core.

In one other nod to the idea of privateness, Common designed a copper-toned curtain that’s discovered on every flooring degree, operating the total perimeter of the facade.

“Operated digitally, every flooring’s curtain closes in unison,” the studio stated. “The curtain was additionally conceived as a sort of visible safety, locking down the constructing at night time.”

Visiting shoppers are obtained on the sixth and seventh flooring of the constructing the place the assembly rooms tackle a hospitality focus, with bar and banquette-style seating capitalising on Broadwick Home’s views throughout town.

“These areas are styled on a members’ membership to serve the Copper group and its shoppers,” Common Design Studio stated.

“The sixth flooring has a give attention to gathering each bodily and digitally. Cinematic experiences are once more utilised on this house with dramatic sliding digital screens for giant occasions and displays.”

Different unconventional interiors belonging to monetary establishments embody Hana Financial institution in Seoul with its “floating” assembly room and Citibank Singapore, which was designed to resemble a large conservatory.

The images is by Ed Reeve.