Divercity Architects and Carole Topin design advertising agency like a ‘creative engine’

frank and fame divercity
London and Athens based architects Divercity and designer Carole Topin have created the new headquarters in the Greek capital for advertising agency Frank & Fame
(Image credit: Mariana Bisti)

Communication and the exchange of ideas are key to modern working; especially in a creative field such as advertising. So when London- and Athens-based architecture practice Divercity and designer Carole Topin embarked on redesigning an interior within an existing 1970s building in the heart of the Greek capital, they drew on the same principles for their concept. 

At the centre of the new headquarters for dynamic advertising agency Frank & Fame, the architects ‘designed a central creative engine', they explain. This core space, divided in distinct zones, provides all the necessary areas and stimulation required for the smooth running of this creative hub. 

The agency’s offices are on the second floor of an existing 1970s modernist building on Kifisias Avenue.

The agency’s offices are on the second floor of an existing 1970s modernist building on Kifisias Avenue.

(Image credit: Mariana Bisti)

The team crafted spaces for larger, group meetings, informal brainstorming sessions (called the ‘Pin-Up Room'), and more private, one-to-one discussions (the ‘Confession Booth'). There is space for seclusion and reflection, while circulation areas cleverly double as a library zone, walls dressed with shelves and reading spots. Elsewhere, open-plan desk areas, private offices and meeting rooms are arranged around the ‘creative engine'. 

‘With fluidity and flexibility at its heart, the design responds to the needs of a contemporary workforce and provides Frank & Fame an office with longevity, where ideas and relationships will flourish', says the team. Greenery in bespoke planters and colour accents ensure a varied environment, all made using the expertises of construction specialists Escape.

Using immersive, dark colours, sharp lines, warm materials and strong geometries, Divercity and Topin's architecture is a celebration of the creative process; and the way architecture can foster and enhance it. 

frank and fame office divercity

The interior design was inspired by the idea of communication and exchange of ideas. 

(Image credit: Mariana Bisti)

frank and fame office by divercity

The space was concieved as a ’creative engine

(Image credit: Mariana Bisti)

frank and fame divercity athens

Its heart is divided into distinct zones for all types of activites. 

(Image credit: Mariana Bisti)

frank and fame divercity office athens

Wrapped in dark colours, the interior is sharp and contemporary. 

(Image credit: Mariana Bisti)

frank and fame divercity bookcase

The office’s passageway doubles as a library

(Image credit: Mariana Bisti)

frank and fame divercity board room

Meanwhile, meeting rooms sit side by side with more informal areas for brainstorming.

(Image credit: Mariana Bisti)

frank and fame divercity interior

The architecture aims to foster a culture of interconnectivity, creativity and collaboration.

(Image credit: Mariana Bisti)

INFORMATION
For more information visit the website of Divercity Architects and the website of Carole Topin

Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).