IA Interior Architects transformed Symrise AG Fine Fragrance’s New York office into a sophisticated client experience center, featuring expanded laboratories and a stylish client-facing hub, fostering creativity and client engagement.
Symrise AG Fine Fragrance, a global perfumery renowned for crafting scents for luxury houses and consumer brands alike, engaged the design team to reimagine its New York office. The goal was to transform the existing space into a sophisticated client experience center while expanding its laboratory and workplace capabilities. Previously, the office was constrained, with lab and office functions competing for space. The new design unlocks the potential of the workplace, fostering creativity, collaboration, and client engagement.
The project spans two floors, seamlessly connected by a striking feature staircase. The 16th floor serves as the client-facing hub and executive suite, while the 15th floor houses the perfume laboratories, open workspaces, and collaborative meeting areas. The design not only enhances operational efficiency but also curates an intentional and immersive client journey.
Dubbed the “apartment,” the 16th floor embodies hospitality and refinement, featuring a red-hued library—a nod to Symrise’s brand identity—a living room, and a dining room where intimate client dinners can be hosted. With Symrise occupying the full floor, the elevator doors open directly into this welcoming environment, immediately immersing visitors in the brand’s world. Reception, client waiting areas, private offices, and adaptable meeting spaces reinforce the balance between exclusivity and functionality, ensuring an elegant yet efficient workspace for executive and commercial teams.
A critical component of the project was optimizing the 15th floor’s laboratory space. The fragrance labs were expanded to accommodate additional work bays while maintaining stringent air quality and safety standards essential to the craft of perfumery. The adjacency between laboratory and marketing teams was thoughtfully planned, allowing clients to witness the full spectrum of fragrance creation—from scientific formulation to the final storytelling and branding.
Throughout the design process, the team engaged in conversations, questionnaires, and visioning exercises with Symrise’s leadership, including C-suite and marketing executives. These insights informed a space that supports the company’s ethos as a “community of creative entrepreneurs, elevating perfumery into an avant-garde art form.” The new workplace fosters both innovation and mentorship, ensuring that creativity flourishes across disciplines.
Client entertainment was a driving force behind the project’s success. The design delivers a luxurious and high-end experience, seamlessly guiding visitors through the brand’s narrative. From the moment they step onto the 16th floor, guests are welcomed into an environment that blends modern sophistication with timeless elegance. Natural light floods the space, maximizing exterior views and enhancing the airy, immersive atmosphere. Thoughtful design elements—such as plush carpeting, refined finishes, and curated perfume displays—subtly reinforce the brand’s identity. The result is an environment that captures the artistry of fragrance, providing an exceptional workplace for Symrise’s team while offering an unparalleled experience for their clients.
Design: IA Interior Architects
Design Team: Jim Camp, Patricia Duval, Richard Clark, Stephen Furnstahl, John Azinaro, Shane Byrne
Photography: Devon Banks