A Look Inside Lacoste’s New London Office

Michal
Fashion
5 months ago

Fashion company Lacoste hired interior design firm Maris Interiors to design their new office in London, England.

“Inspired by a New York warehouse aesthetic, Lacoste wanted to create a Loft Office mood that is homely, spacious and light with lots of planting. Maris achieved by an industrial palette combining exposed concrete and raised metal flooring, softened by biophilic details, pops of brand colour and plenty of glazing.

Central to the design concept was remembering that, for Lacoste, this is first and foremost a workshop. It’s not a client-facing environment, but one that’s entirely to support their employees and the design process. While their other offices around the world are the physical representation of the retail brand, this is a space that’s purely for them and their team, creating the best working experience possible. The vast, open space with abundant natural light, clean lines and exposed surfaces was the perfect setting on which to develop that studio feel.

Maris’ goal was to showcase the shoe-making process, from 3D printing to computer programming, sketching to exploring new ideas. This is a space where designers can create, test, tweak and bring concepts to life – it needed to be dynamic and evolving. Carefully placed around the design hub are the areas for operations, supply and development, ensuring that every part of the team felt involved in the creative process and are recognised as a pivotal part of the brand. The open plan workspace is punctuated with a variety of enclosed meeting areas for different sized gatherings, as well as small offices for focused work.

In any other office, the 3D room would typically be a hidden space, but here it’s at the forefront of the office with a window so that the team can see works in progress on display engaging and motivating the team.

A dynamic space and a hub of creativity, filled with different fabrics, drawing equipment, design reference books and concept images, supporting the creativity and innovation of designers. Taking inspiration from the tailors of Savile Row, the space was carefully crafted with organisation in mind, providing overhead hanging space and a cork board wall and removable shelving for flexibility.

The showroom is both a celebration of work and an important part of the creative process. Set up to replicate a retail area, every season the brand keeps a copy of each shoe to inform the following year. Display and storage were an essential part of this space, so Maris implemented smart solutions including roller racking to optimise the area.

It was important to include focus rooms for quiet, independent working allowing employees to escape the open plan office when required. Maris used these to showcase some of the brand’s personality and heritage through colour and imagery. The lounge, mixed communal area and kitchen, complete with a view to the balcony were designed to give the team spaces to relax and unwind during their day encouraging community and collaboration among the team. Decorated with original prints, adverts, magazine covers and Renee Lacoste imagery from the ’30s when the man himself played tennis, the space reflects the heritage and culture of Lacoste. Overall, the new space is a seminal moment in Lacoste Shoes evolution, focused on celebrating their design process, and supporting the team in their work going forward. Unique in its purely staff-focused functionality, it’s very much a design studio – a space designed by creatives, for creatives.”