Fogarty Finger designed a Manhattan office for global real estate investment management advisory BentallGreenOak that celebrates the creative spirit and energy of the city. Featuring a curated collection of works that reference urban style and hip-hop, the art is integral to the space. The pieces capture the essence of the metropolis, and offer surprising moments of color and texture in the workplace.
The designers at Fogarty Finger, also based in the city, sought to establish a place-specific office grounded in street culture, with selections from co-CEO Sonny Kalsi’s existing collection and commissioned works, from photographs to graffiti-inspired paintings. “Sonny was a driving force, with his great interest in the arts. He always wanted to touch back on this foundation concept of distinctive pieces for the space that really represented its location. The office has an unmistakable New York City look,” said Alexandra Cuber, director at Fogarty Finger.
Selecting the works for 23,652-square-foot Park Avenue space involved procuring in a different way, which yielded the masterful result — sophisticated, not staged. “We ended up forming relationships with a lot more galleries and contacts in the art world, because we were pushed to search beyond our typical resources. The large scope of the project encouraged us to collaborate with partners that we may not have initially thought of,” explained Taylor Fleming, interior designer at Fogarty Finger.
The collection features the work of 22 fledgling and established artists of different races, genders, and ethnicities, a reflection of the company ethos. “Sonny believes in equity, diversity, and inclusion. “The company was founded on those principles, and the art just ties all together. I think it’s interesting to see. Once you get to know him and see the staff in the office, it becomes this beautiful story,” Cuber noted.
The egalitarian ideal extends to the layout. All employees can work or relax without feeling excluded. “Usually, senior leadership is placed in the corners so that they have the perfect spots in the workspace. Here, there was a conscious decision to give the best space, the best light, the best views to everyone. The idea was to have less individual offices and more meeting spaces to create a very communal, open work area,” Cuber added.
Placing the canvases to enhance each viewer’s encounter involved a blend of strategy and instinct.“We viewed everything holistically, planning the entire space and then figuring out the areas that made the most sense for each of the paintings to go, like niches. It was about envisioning the experience that someone would have walking through the office. We thought about what they would see initially, then when they moved around a corner, or went into a meeting room. We made sure we were seeing those special spatial opportunities,” Fleming said.
Cuber said the team applied a light hand with the company’s signature hue, as a complement that is never overwhelming. “Their branding color is this wonderful, rich green. Instead of making it a feature color, we tried to integrate it in a more subtle way. In the reception area, you’re greeted by this glossy, lacquered desk with that shade, and in some of the meeting rooms we used a gradient green wallpaper — elements that you probably don’t expect.”
The designers played with their own painterly techniques as they designated sections within the space for different types of work. In the collaborative areas, wood and moodier color palettes are employed in contrast with the lighter, brighter materials and furnishings in the main work area. “It’s a meshing of the home with the office, so that you are comfortable but still productive. The art helps bring that hospitality feel in, it creates a multilayered effect,” Fleming noted.
The corridor leads to an open-plan work area, which is defined by an exposed ceiling. This space
features adjustable height desks and a variety of collaborative zones including large, custom tables that seat eight to ten people and small round tables for groups of two to three. On the interior of this zone is a suite of glass-enclosed rooms for private offices or meetings.
“There are diverse working areas, and different seating arrangements. You have your own desk for working in a focused manner, and then there are other places where you can work in a group or in a more casual way. So, there’s a nice combination of places for privacy and socializing,” Cuber explained.
She also added that the mix of polished and raw surfaces creates a balance that provides continual interest. The lounge-like setting of the pantry, library, and town hall is intentionally darker. “We didn’t want the interior to be a white box. The different light levels and materials give employees the option to walk around, get up from their desk. Adding those moments of darkness draws your attention. It’s an invitation to explore another part of the space.”
Indeed, the town hall beckons staff to gather, fostering camaraderie. “It’s almost like an office living room. It’s a space we designed so that employees could connect with one another. You want to go there and chat with colleagues, take your time. I think actually providing that was important. Surrounded by the art, the wood, the accessories, you’re enveloped in a warm environment,” Fleming added.
Every detail, from the modern masterpieces hanging on the walls to the tomes in the library, present a compelling visual narrative. Once you get to know the staff, and see them interacting in their new office, it becomes this beautiful story,” Cuber noted.
