New Clarendon House

Form Design Consultants were brought in to craft a sophisticated, high-spec workplace for Patria’s newly acquired private equity team, formerly of Aberdeen Asset Management.

In the end, we like to think that we delivered more than just an office – it was a bold fusion of Patria’s South American brand identity and the gorgeous Georgian architecture that the Scottish capital is famous for.

James Bryden, COO of Global Private Market Solutions for Patria Investments, said: “Form came recommended to us to help design and deliver Patria’s flagship office outside Latin America, and we were delighted with the outcome and with Form’s performance.

“They had to work across multiple third parties and time zones within a prescribed brand palette and balance many different requirements and preferences.

“Form blended both aesthetic and pragmatic experience and advice in a way that gave real comfort to us. They saw problems well before they became problems and were extremely patient and flexible. They operated very much with a ‘one team’ approach.”

Patria’s new Edinburgh base sits in the newly renovated New Clarendon House, on bustling George Street. 

The building retains its original Georgian façade – complete with tall sash windows and decorative wood panelling – but behind the historic frontage lies a thoroughly contemporary interior of concrete columns, exposed soffits and modern infrastructure. 

This juxtaposition of old and new posed a creative challenge: how to balance the building’s architectural DNA with Patria’s established corporate aesthetic?

The design brief was deceptively simple – accommodate 60 desks in the 590m2 space, create multiple meeting areas, and craft a high-end, coherent space that would foster collaboration and innovation.

Form’s Imogen Owen, a designer on the project, explains: “Patria’s London and Brazilian offices have a very specific look, and their team in São Paulo sent us a spec pack of finishes and materials to match. But the Edinburgh building had its own personality, so we had to strike a balance between respecting the existing architecture while keeping the design consistent with the client’s other offices internationally.”

The space itself presented some complications. While windows at both ends offered natural light, the middle of the floorplate lacked daylight, posing a significant planning challenge.

Initially, Form proposed placing client-facing meeting rooms in the centre, freeing up the windowed ends for desks. But as the brief evolved, adding more meeting rooms and shifting spatial priorities, the design pivoted.

The meeting rooms were moved to the front of the space, overlooking George Street.  Imogen explains: “It made sense to have client spaces in the most impressive area of the office, using those beautiful sash windows and the original Georgian detailing.”

This solution was practical and elegant, creating two distinct zones – one for focused work and one for client interaction – separated by high-quality acoustic glazed partitions by Optima. Despite the density of the layout, the resulting space feels balanced, functional, and bright.

While sustainability wasn’t a primary driver of the project, Form took care to retain much of the Cat A infrastructure, including ductwork and fan coil units, minimising waste and disruption.

Acoustic performance was also important, particularly in meeting areas, where Kvadrat fabric-wrapped ceiling panels help maintain speech privacy and absorb ambient noise.

But what truly sets the space apart is the meticulous attention to detail. All joinery items, including cupboards, cabinets and feature walls, were custom-made with rich walnut veneers, while porcelain worktops mimic the elegance of real marble.

The result is a workplace that feels understated but luxurious.  “Everything was bespoke and spec’d very highly,” says Imogen. 

“There was a real emphasis on quality. Even the details you don’t see right away like the acoustic fabric ceilings were chosen with real care.”

As with any international assignment, communication was key to the success of the project.

Weekly meetings, timed to accommodate the São Paulo time zone, were held with Patria’s management and architects, who had also worked on the London and Brazilian offices.

The teams collaborated closely to align finishes and specifications, working through language barriers, time differences, and tight deadlines.

This close collaboration helped us deliver a space that felt distinctly ‘Patria’ although in a very different setting to the company’s global HQ in Brazil.

Despite a slightly extended construction timeline, due in part to the high level of finish, Patria were thrilled with the results, with one visiting director even describing it as “the nicest Patria office worldwide.”

Imogen says: “It was challenging at times – especially with spatial constraints and service coordination – but ultimately, we delivered a space that respects its location and still feels like part of the Patria family. And that’s what great design should do.”

Form Design Consultants’ work with Patria is a testament to how smart planning, close collaboration, and an eye for detail can transform a complex brief into something truly exceptional.