Symrise AG Fine Fragranace
Renovation
New York, NY | 12,700 SF
Symrise AG Fine Fragrance, a global perfumery renowned for creating luxury house and consumer brand fragrances, engaged IA’s New York studio to transform its existing space into a sophisticated client experience center and expand its laboratory and workplace capabilities. From a constrained environment, with lab and office functions competing for space, the new design unlocks the potential of the workplace, inspiring creativity, collaboration, and client engagement.
The project spans two floors connected by a striking feature staircase. The 16th floor is the client-facing hub and executive suite; the 15th floor houses the perfume laboratories, open workspaces, and collaborative meeting areas, enhancing operational efficiency and curating 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 for hosting intimate client dinners. Elevator doors open directly onto this welcoming venue, immediately immersing visitors in the brand’s world. Reception, client waiting areas, private offices, and adaptable meeting spaces balance exclusivity and functionality, creating an elegant yet efficient workspace for executive and commercial teams.
Optimizing the 15th floor’s laboratory space was critical. The expanded fragrance labs accommodate added work bays while maintaining the stringent air quality and safety standards essential to the craft of perfumery. The adjacency between laboratory and marketing team areas was thoughtfully planned, allowing clients to witness the full spectrum of fragrance creation—from scientific formulation to final storytelling and branding.
Throughout the design process, the IA team engaged with Symrise’s leadership, including C-suite and marketing executives, through conversation, questionnaires, and visioning exercises. Insights from these encounters inform the design and support the company’s ethos as a “community of creative entrepreneurs, elevating perfumery into an avant-garde art form.” The new workplace encourages innovation and mentorship, ensuring flourishing creativity across disciplines.
Client entertainment was a driving force behind the project’s success. The design delivers a luxurious and high-end experience, guiding visitors with ease through the brand’s narrative. From the moment they step onto the 16th floor, guests enter a welcoming environment blending modern sophistication with timeless elegance. Natural light floods the space from maximized exterior views to enhance the airy, immersive atmosphere. Thoughtful design elements—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, provides an exceptional workplace for Symrise’s team, and offers an unmatched experience for clients.
Photography by Devon Banks