ISDA’s new City of London office features KI desks, storage & meeting tables

After outgrowing their offices at One Bishop’s Square, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) worked with interior design studio Shaw Studios, and Furniture dealer, Day2 Interiors to relocate to 25 Copthall Avenue/London Wall.

The new office had to meet a number of criteria including a more suitable floorplate that would create better define publicly accessible spaces, and the private office environment. The facilities would need to accommodate both visiting delegates and local staff, especially those working longer hours.

Throughout the 1,250m² space, Day2 specified a large amount of KI furniture to meet ISDA’s requirements. KI’s Work2.1 Sit-Stand desks were incorporated into the open plan workspace as 2- or 4-person back-to-back benches, each with a white surface, graphite grey edge finishes, and a black-grey understructure. These Work2.1 Sit-Stand desks were also used in the cellular offices as single desks with returns. These spaces are further enhanced with AthensSE column-based meeting tables.

To accompany the desks, a selection of white 800 Series storage cupboards and lockers were strategically placed to provide easy access to files as well as personal belongings.

A selection KI’s tables were also used throughout the site: Scrum flip-top nesting tables increase the flexibility of the new seminar/presentation space by providing easy manoeuvrability; poseur-height AthensSE column-based tables with round tops give the waiting area a sleek, modern feel. AthensSE tables were also added to breakout spaces and booths for more relaxed collaborative work, while the Work2 tables with cantilever understructures were specified at both standard and poseur heights for larger meeting and formal spaces.

As a final touch, MFC planter boxes with a graphite grey edge were placed on top of the storage units, adding some greenery and natural decoration to the open plan spaces.

Ruth Bradshaw, director of Shaw Studios, commented, “The project was embarked on during lockdown, so all discussions were virtual – but KI were very good at co-ordinating everything and even producing bespoke items at very good value. The furniture perfectly fit the new office and provides ISDA with flexibility needed to continue safely and efficiently.”

Melanie Tse, Project Lead at Day2, commented, “The project was all during the pandemic and we were so impressed with the lengths KI went to, to present innovative solutions, created visuals and the service they offered all the way through.”