Apolitical

Key Details

Location:: Westminster, London
Professional Team:: Soul Spaces
Manufacturers:: NaughtOne, Muuto, Workstories, Sixteen3, Cantarutti, König+Neurath

Client Brief

Apolitical’s move to a new Westminster address marked a real shift in energy. Their previous office felt flat and uninspiring, and with a growing team of over 60, this new space needed to feel optimistic, creative and alive.

Working alongside Soul Spaces, we were appointed on a CAT B scope to bring personality into a beautiful period building overlooking Westminster Abbey. The architecture itself is full of character, with exposed arches and strong structural features, so the brief was not to compete with that heritage but to complement it.

The client wanted colour, playfulness and flexibility.

Meeting spaces needed to work harder than usual because with no floor boxes and perimeter power only, every layout decision had to consider how people would plug in, collaborate and move around without visual clutter.

Design Approach

Flexibility sits at the heart of the plan with two larger meeting rooms divided by a folding wall, meaning they can operate independently or combine into one generous gathering space when needed. The tables were selected with this in mind, so they had to be mobile, reconfigurable, and designed to link together seamlessly.

An open desking area supports agile working, allowing the team to move fluidly through the day. Where the kitchen sits, there’s a breakout space anchored by an L-shaped Muuto sofa, a large communal table and soft seating. Shelving units and colourful rugs add texture and warmth, helping the space feel relaxed.

Throughout the floor, Pullman booths from NaughtOne provide individual touchdown spaces. Pieces from Cantarutti, Workstories, Sixteen3 and Muuto build out the scheme, delivering a colourful, energetic workspace, sitting in deliberate contrast to the historic architecture that surrounds it.

Challenges & Results

Power was the primary technical challenge. With no floor boxes available, every meeting table and collaborative area had to be carefully reconsidered. Some tables were repositioned against walls to access perimeter power, whilst portable charging units were introduced into other spaces to maintain functionality without compromising layout. The flexibility the client wanted demanded a flexible electrical solution, and that required constant coordination during specification and install.

Ceiling heights presented another hurdle because they impacted the placement of phone booths, which had already been ordered. On installation, it became clear adjustments were needed to ensure doors could open correctly beneath the lowered ceiling.

The project ran across three months and completed in January, with the client moving in the day after project completion. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.

The team feels energised by the colour and openness of the space, and Apolitical is already expanding, taking on additional square footage on the same floor and requesting the same furniture pieces from us.