
Private equity consulting firm Accordion tapped BHDM Design to create a sophisticated yet welcoming New York headquarters. Located in the One Vanderbilt building, the 15,000-square foot space was inspired by motifs of menswear fabrics. Owner and creative director of BHDM, Dan Mazzarini drew on his extensive retail design experience to not only envision a modern workplace but also an extension of the company’s culture.
As a space for multiple audiences, from investors to staff and potential employees, Mazzarini had to balance a polished look with comfort. His work with fashion brands sparked the idea of bringing bespoke touches to the interiors as a unifying element. “We were looking for a motif that would tie all of these things together and also allow us to scale up or down. The menswear expression came from the notion of taking the classic suit and tie and turning it on its head,” he said.

Indeed, from the white battens that form a large-scale plaid design on the ceiling or slats that echo the look of heavy pleats, the range of textures add to the sensory experience. They are also a playful nod to the name Accordion, evoking the folds of the instrument. The thoughtful details resonate in the post-pandemic era, as employees adopt hybrid schedules. When employees do go back, they gravitate to environments that are reminiscent of the areas they spend the most time in. “People love working from home,” Mazzarini noted. “And they want something more familiar and residential feeling at the office.”

Every section was designed to foster camaraderie, and surprisingly, there is not the typical top-down structure found in most corporations, but rather, Mazzarini explained, an emphasis on equality. As staff moves through the space, they are encouraged to use rooms as needed, either for focused work or collaboration. “It’s pretty egalitarian. This is the first time that we have done all sit-stand desks, because they wanted employees to be able to sit anywhere and have the same experience. They wanted offices at the perimeter, not because it was hierarchical, but because they wanted interesting backdrops for Zoom meetings. There are ways we made the whole office accessible.”

Each area is also suitable for client meetings, rather than relegated to conference rooms at the back of the hub. The inviting atmosphere is conducive to work and entertaining, day or night. “You can take a client anywhere in the office and be able to execute business there, and then offer them a cocktail afterward.” Mazzarini said. “It was about putting our hospitality mentality forward in this corporate space to create an easy transition.”
Nowhere is that signature more evident than the café, the heart of the headquarters. It serves as a clubhouse where people can gather to dine, collaborate, or socialize. A plaid, wood-clad kitchen was conceived as a pochéd white oak bookend, with the wood covering all of the cabinets, appliances, and the island. “It is this beautiful punctuation at the end of the corridor. It is relatable and flexible, but with this ‘wow’ factor that makes it such a focal point,” Mazzarini added.

Mazzarini said that the varied, mix-and-match approach to materials gives the space just enough of the urban dynamism that Accordion’s founder and CEO Nick Leopard wanted, recalling the city’s iconic clubs. “We were talking about all of these downtown places, but the office is located in a very corporate building. So the materials we chose are timeless, but they do have a bit of an edge.”

The two-tone wood panels are key, and the desking area has white painted brick for added pop. Areas are punctuated with a smoky, updated version of the brand’s violet hue of the brand. “We took their purple and dialed it down, and it became this smoky lavender. It makes an appearance in a couple of places, including a custom wallcovering,” Mazzarini noted. “The color palette is neutral, with high, medium, and low notes.”

Since the New York project was completed, Mazzarini said that he has designed more than half a dozen of Accordion’s regional offices, capturing the company’s essence in each location. “We made sure that the office is a value-add for the employees, with the technical aspects or the furnishings. The leadership understands that a workplace can empower, and it is important that people feel seen and valued in these spaces,” Mazzarini said.