Client projects: Kappahl Group
Culture, fashion and brand in harmony at Kappahl Group’s new head office
As Kappahl Group’s ways of working evolved, the need for a new head office emerged. When it was time to start planning the move, the starting point was to create a warm and modern meeting place – an office permeated by the company’s identity and ways of working.
Through a careful blend of reused and new – and with respect for the company’s history – Kappahl Group and Kinnarps have created a working environment that clearly expresses both heritage and future.
A place to feel at home
Petra Wendels, Global Concept Manager, and Annette Nilsson, Global Store Concept Specialist at Kappahl Group, were part of the team behind the project. Together, they are responsible for the interior design of the new head office and of all Kappahl Group’s 340+ stores.
Since the move, they have often received positive feedback about the office from colleagues. Many feel that the new office helps create a stronger sense of community at work – confirmation that they have succeeded in realising the vision for the office: A place to belong — today and tomorrow.
About Kappahl
Kappahl was founded in 1953 by Per-Olof Ahl in Gothenburg. The business idea was simple: sell affordable coats at prices within every woman’s reach. Success was immediate, and the company quickly outgrew the modest basement premises where it all began. Per-Olof became known by the nickname Kapp-Ahl, which he later chose as the store’s name.
Today, Kappahl Group is one of the leading fashion companies in the Nordic region and has two main brands: Kappahl and Newbie – both known for affordable clothing with a focus on sustainability.
“We have placed a strong focus on the entrance area to create natural meeting places. Today we can clearly see that this environment has become the heart of the office – a lively and dynamic space that serves as a much-appreciated gathering point.”
- Petra Wendels, Global Concept Manager, Kappahl Group
“Many people choose to work from the office more often now because they enjoy it so much here. That feels like the best grade you can get!”
- Annette Nilsson, Global Store Concept Specialist, Kappahl Group
Interior design that carries and reinforces the brand
Right from the entrance, you are met by a coherent whole. Culture, fashion and brand run like a common thread through the environments, where everything from lighting to furniture choices and decorations is designed to reflect the organisation’s identity.
Spotlights in the ceiling – a nod to the world of fashion – create a warm and pleasant lighting atmosphere throughout the premises. On the walls are photographs from some of the company’s earliest coat collections, interspersed with texts telling the company’s story. Here, it is clear how the physical environment can carry and reinforce an identity. Every detail is considered and designed to strengthen the brand.
A welcoming entrance that evokes memories
The timeline on the entrance wall shows events that have shaped the company, with space for what the future will bring. A warm colour palette and furniture with soft lines contribute to the welcoming calm that characterises the premises. The Oas modular sofa offers comfortable seating with charging options for visitors. The red coat in the entrance belonged to a woman who bought it in Kappahl Group’s first store, which at the time was located in a simple basement. On the glass panel, a text tells the story of the day she bought it and the memories it brought back when, many decades later, she found her “favourite coat” in the attic.
The brand – a common thread through the office
Furniture, colours and materials draw inspiration from the world of fashion and Kappahl Group’s various stores, while old photos and other artefacts keep the company’s heritage present throughout the office.
The heart of the office
Just inside the entrance is the workplace’s main gathering point. With the kitchen at its centre, views in every direction and plenty of natural light, it is a vibrant environment for community and work.
“Our goal was to create the lively feel of a hotel lobby. But looking back, we can say it turned out far better than that,” says Petra. She explains that the space is used extensively from morning to evening. “Some eat lunch here, others hold meetings or spend whole working days here,” she says.
The area is an important complement to the other environments of the office. It is designed to be easily adapted for different uses. For large meetings or conferences, it can quickly be rearranged, and when needed, a large projection screen can be lowered from the ceiling.
A popular setting with many usage areas
The large shared area naturally breaks into smaller zones through plants and well-considered groupings of furniture. Flexible furniture and a ceiling-mounted projector further broaden its range of uses.
A natural gathering point
The sofas along one side of the work lounge create spaces within the space, often used as dining areas or for informal meetings. The Oberon table becomes a natural centrepiece to gather around, with a specially designed tabletop that makes it easy for everyone to reach.
Beyond the shared area is the passage over to the neighbouring building, where several of the office’s other environments begin. It could easily have become nothing more than a thoroughfare, but with thoughtful furnishing it has now become one of the office’s most popular areas. With panoramic views from the eleventh floor and a comfortable sofa to sink into, it is not hard to see why.
A break with a view
Many employees like to sit down and work for a while in the inviting Oas sofa to enjoy daylight and the view. If the sun shines too strongly, the curtains can easily be drawn.
Rooms that support focused meetings
In the smaller meeting rooms, a calm and focused environment is created for conversation and collaboration. The Koy meeting chair offers comfortable seating and positive movement, supporting both short check-ins and longer meetings.
Tactile material choices and good acoustics
The tactile material choices create a warm and inviting feel, while also contributing to a pleasant sound environment. Together, they enhance the experience of comfort and quality and create a harmonious whole. The Koy chair has been upholstered in Granit fabric.
Rooms for collaboration and creativity
In the larger meeting rooms, generous daylight and adjustable lighting create an inviting atmosphere. There is plenty of space for many participants, with a writing and pinboard to support idea development and shared focus. The Monroe meeting chair offers comfortable seating, and the generous Oberon conference table invites creative meetings.
Where ideas take shape
One flight down is the office’s creative heart. Once again, you are struck by how well the physical environment both reflects the identity and supports the organisation. Here, there is a variety of settings for different parts of the creative process, and it is easy to imagine how new clothing collections take shape. Draw curtains, together with storage solutions, create creative surfaces where sketches, materials and ideas constantly change hands.
Rooms within a room for creative meetings
In the creative areas, tomorrow’s collections take shape. The 5000 task chair makes it possible to switch seamlessly between sitting and standing work, encouraging engagement and creativity.
Reused quality
A large number of workstations consist of reused furniture from the previous office. Many of the office chairs, from Kinnarps’ classic Plus range, date from the 1980s. Some have been reupholstered or supplemented with spare parts; others have simply been serviced. The Serie P desks are from the 1990s, and their tabletops have been adapted to suit the new head office.
“We have had a clear vision for the office throughout, and with Kinnarps’ expertise in workplace design we have been able to realise it fully. They have helped us turn our needs and ideas into a well-thought-out whole that truly works day to day.”
A collaboration that turned vision into reality
With Kinnarps’ help, Kappahl Group has created a head office that supports the way they work – and where identity and brand are present in every detail. Petra and Annette, who usually work on store interiors for Kappahl Group, say that Kinnarps has been an important support in taking on an office of this size.
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