The prestigious asset management company Schroders has a new open-plan office in Frankfurt am Main’s banking district. The striking décor combines tradition and modernity to create a truly exclusive environment – the perfect backdrop for the exquisite “Duca” and “Rilasso” Swiss seating from Züco.

Offenhausen – April 2010. Established in London in 1804, Schroders is now one of the largest independent asset management companies for private and institutional investors. The traditional British company with German roots operates 37 offices in 28 countries. It currently employs 2,614 people who manage assets worth around €145.6 billion.

“Noblesse oblige” as the saying goes. Whilst the company’s British headquarters are in a discreet location between St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Bank of England, its German subsidiary recently moved into a new office on the tenth floor of the Japan Center – a high-rise building in Frankfurt's banking district. The building designed by Joachim Ganz in the 1990s is particularly well known for its successful symbiosis of European and Japanese architecture.

British understatement and exquisite functionality feature prominently in the new office. Covering an area of around 1,100 m2, it was converted specially for Schroders by the “bgf+” team of architects and skilfully furnished by “spielmanns officehouse”. Schroders specifically asked for a decor and furnishings that would reflect its corporate values of “tradition and innovation”. Subtle colours, dark wood, glass and silver surfaces, and high-quality designs from top-name manufacturers create a look that does exactly that.

When it came to seating, Schroders opted for the comfortable and imposing chairs from Züco, a brand of the Dauphin HumanDesign Group. Züco is regarded as a premium supplier of lounge and conference furniture. For reasons of visual quality, the Swiss company still does much of the production work by hand. Those in charge of Schroders' German office selected two models from the many distinctive Züco products: the “Duca” visitor and conference chair and the “Rilasso” easy chair.

“Duca” captivates with its timeless elegance and exquisite comfort. The high-quality natural Lavalina leather upholstery and the attention to detail reflect Schroders' values perfectly.

The “Duca” chairs are complemented by the “Rilasso” lounge chair. With its formal, cubic design, this imposing item of seating is regarded as a modern version of classic English club chairs.