Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners Office | Sella Concept

Sella introduces the new 3,000 square foot office design for Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners in New York City, pairing sleek and understated design with Sella’s signature curves and moments to pause.

Set in an ideal location (flanked by the Manhattan Bridge and flush with waterfront views) the canvas, 10 Jay Street, is a building designed by Oda New York Architects comprised of glass, steel, and brick.

Designing an office amidst the pandemic meant that the boundaries of the ‘typical office space’ were pushed to be flexible and interchangeable: meeting needs beyond the typical
desk and meeting rooms. Executed from across the globe and landlocked in the UK by the Covid travel restrictions, Sella sensitively evolved the design to create the first-generation post-pandemic office space, championing the merge of the workspace and membership cul- ture within private office environments. Sella captures and responds to people’s varied needs. With the ease of working from home, an office now needs to work harder to entice employees to connect with each other and with clients – thereby Sella’s design aims to incentivise be- haviour with connectivity at its heart.

Nods to industrial design meet Sella’s iconic language: soft curves and layered, raw textural elements marry within the space. Original brickwork columns are left revealed, delicately juxtaposed by gentle features, such as a curved carpet inset into a poured concrete floor, or the surrounding curved edges and walls.

Sella brought its expertise in hospitality design to the project to focus on the flow of the space: delivering moments of connection and the flexibility of a work-come-entertainment environment for both employees and guests. The space was separated by a curved plaster wall, with an intriguing Brutalist aperture looking into the private areas. Sleek integrated sanitaryware, serving beer and kombucha, fixed to the curved wall – emphasise the perfect balance between minimalism and pleasure. These casual break-out spaces linking with the more private, formal moments within the office were sensitively considered by Sella to push the brief of an office based on connection, born out of the pandemic.

Using fabrics by Dedar and Maharam, Sella designed bespoke banquettes which sit within the space: highlighted by an integrated tree intended to place nature at the heart of space. Playful furniture complements the clean lines of the fixed elements. Harmoniously woven together with the use of a warm, natural colour palette, the office space encourages creative thinking and connection.

Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners pioneer technology-enabled infrastructure to transform urban life. With this in mind, Sella wanted to weave in an ‘engineered’ concept to the new- age office space. A track was inserted into the poured concrete floor in which an engineered bronze conference table can roll together to enable boardroom meetings. Soft leather-like tabletops in Autumnal colours, add a gentle warmth to the sleek metal.

Working with the American lighting brand Allied Maker, Fireclay Tiles and US furniture brand Crump & Kwash, the space celebrates American design. Small details like the cabinet handles add a touch of British influence using UK based Swarf Hardware.

The project was executed and completed over the pandemic with local Architects Gensler.