KI Europe has proudly announced the opening of its new showroom on Goswell Road in Clerkenwell, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s evolution and highlighting its commitment to innovation and design excellence.
The move celebrates 30 years of KI in the UK, marking its growth by placing KI at the centre of London's design district. The stunning showroom is designed to showcase KI’s range of innovative furniture solutions in cleverly curated zones.
The layout of the showroom is intentional, designed with purpose allowing the product offering across workplace, education, higher education and hospitality to flow through the building. KI’s triple front window display showcases newly launched product with the Sutton Chair in 4 colours, alongside the new Logon task chair proudly displayed for the showroom launch.
Variations of 800 Series, Work2.1 High Capacity and Contour sit stand desks and other soft seating options from KI and its partner Bejot feature throughout the ground floor where KI’s in-house product design team are based. There is also a formal boardroom where 800 Series Shelving, Limelite Conference Chairs and a 12 person Zig Table all feature in Oxide Red.
A flexible multi-purpose presentation space is in the adjacent room, which leads through to the stunning terrace showcasing outdoor furniture from KI and Bejot, accentuated by grand potted olive trees. The dramatic staircase leading up to the first floor features an acoustic replica of the intricate KI Grafton Chair pattern which embeds KI into the building.
Upstairs boasts an Education Zone, offering seating solutions suitable for all ages, spaces and requirements. The iconic Postura+ range features here with several height options and variations including mixed material, and one piece injection moulded chairs and stools. New seating recently launched by KI including the Hatton Stools and the Sebel and Sutton Chair are also on show within the Education Zone. The first floor continues to KI’s workspace, complete with rows of Work2.1 Core sit stand desks, paired with Solon and the new Logon task chairs.
The showroom design retained some key features within the building, including the Piero Lissoni designed staircase and the surrounding double height space, as well as the floor to ceiling glass partition systems that now define the boardroom and multi-purpose presentation space.
The showroom is designed with a muted palette to ensure the focus of the space will always be the products. The scheme does however introduce a bold hospitality bar in the centre of the ground floor designed by work.place.create, which forms a focal area for guests, clients and designers to meet and explore the furniture solutions around them. The aesthetic of the bar is underpinned by a series of gentle curves that reflect the local vernacular architecture and the historic nature of the Hat and Feathers Conservation area, where the showroom is located.
Nick Viner, Project Architect at work.place.create architecture and interior design studio shared that their “key aim of the project was to design an interior that aligned with the personality, brand and culture of KI with a desire to retain some of the key design features within the building. The selection of materials has been sensitively considered in order to be environmentally conscious and to align the interior with the respectful manufacturing philosophy of KI. The success of the project has been achieved as a result of deep engagement from KI creating a positive working environment through active brand engagement and effective collaboration.”
Fiona Fuller, Associate Designer at Design with Narrative said: “This project was all about honouring the original vision while ensuring the final build captured the detail and quality everyone was striving for. We tested multiple design options along the way, refining each element to make sure the space not only looked exceptional but gave KI the right platform to operate seamlessly and tell their story. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see that vision come to life.”
