CZ (Czarnikow)

As CZ’s team grew, they needed a workplace that reflected both their heritage and future ambitions. The decision to relocate to London Bridge was no coincidence, the area has long-standing ties to the global commodities trade. For a business with deep roots in that history, the move represented a meaningful connection between past experience and a more sustainable future.

Project in Brief

• A reception inspired by sugar, blending white and brown tones in contrasting marble
• A multifunctional town hall with bleacher seating referencing shipping containers
• Sustainable and modular furniture, including coffee waste chairs and extendable tables

Designing with Sugar and Coffee

The reception gives the first taste of CZ’s identity, with marble finishes echoing the swirl of white and brown sugar. The unique CZ logo in the space is produced by Sophia Hagen and Artistic Statements and is made from 3D printed sugar, suspended in a glass frame to appear as if it’s floating. Bleacher seating in the town hall was inspired by stacked shipping containers, a reminder of how CZ’s products move worldwide. In the teapoint, chairs and tables made from coffee waste link back to CZ’s roots in the trade of raw materials, while rayon fabrics derived from sugar cane further connect the design to this history.

Earthy tones and natural materials dominate the palette, while playful moments, such as a rug designed by the client that doubles as a checkers board for the gaming room, bring bursts of energy. Baux wood wool panels provide acoustic insulation and a luxurious finish in meeting rooms, while offering strong environmental credentials.

A Layout Shaped for People and Growth

Instead of giving prime river views to client-facing areas, workstations were placed along the Thames frontage, ensuring staff benefit daily from natural light and sweeping views of Tower Bridge. Social zones like the teapoint were set further back, and breakout corners were positioned to create quieter places to pause while still connecting to the city beyond.

The town hall was designed as a multifunctional hub, with seating that can adapt to casual gatherings and large-scale presentations. Both teapoints include tables that can be expanded piece by piece or combined for events, allowing the office to transform quickly when needed. The worktops across the feature teapoint are made entirely from recycled plastic using The Good Plastic Company’s Polygood range, a nod to CZ’s ties to the sustainable packaging industries, and their role in moving these products globally. Open plan areas balance focus and collaboration, while circulation draws people naturally toward shared spaces.