KI Europe opens a new showroom in Clerkenwell, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s evolution and highlighting its commitment to innovation and design excellence
To celebrate 30 years of KI Europe in the UK, the contract furniture brand, which was founded in 1941 in the US, has relocated its showroom from High Holborn to a new space on Goswell Road in Clerkenwell.
The showroom has been designed as an adaptable environment tailored to showcase KI’s diverse product range. Originally envisioned by concept architects work.place.create, the project evolved through a close partnership between KI Europe, IKON Group as main contractor, and Design with Narrative as the design delivery partner. The result of this collaboration was the creation of a space that is more than just an office and furniture showroom, but a multi-purpose environment that blends work, hospitality and education.
The layout of the showroom is intentional, allowing the products across workplace, education, higher education and hospitality to flow through the building. KI’s triple-front window display showcases newly launched pieces, such as the Sutton Chair in four colours and the new Logon task chair.
KI’s in-house product design team is based on the ground floor, where variations of 800 Series, Work2.1 High Capacity and Contour sit-stand desks and soft seating options from KI and its partner Bejot feature throughout. There is also a formal boardroom that shows 800 Series Shelving, Limelite conference chairs and a 12-person Zig table. A flexible multi-purpose presentation space is in the adjacent room, which leads through to the terrace that is used to display outdoor furniture from KI and Bejot.
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 has 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. New designs, including the Hatton Stools and the Sebel and Sutton Chair, are also on show. 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.
A muted palette ensures that the focus of the space remains on the products. The scheme introduces 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. 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.
Imagery by IKON
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