Amika’s New Brooklyn HQ Emphasizes Collaboration and Creativity

When Chelsea Riggs, CEO of Brooklyn-based haircare brand amika, envisioned a new workspace, she wanted it to be the antithesis of a standard business hub. “It’s intentionally designed to be the anti-office, a place where the boundaries between work and inspiration are fluid,” she says. CIVILIAN was selected to design the 19,000-square-foot open office, located at 25 Kent in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Modern office lounge with contemporary furniture, large windows, indoor plants, and a city skyline visible in the background.

The designers envisioned a space that was elevated yet still welcoming. It is a headquarters that enhances productivity, and encourages the staff of young creatives to re-engage with a physical office after the era of remote work – with an emphasis on collaboration. “We didn’t want it to be a typical corporate office, but a reflection of their energy and culture,” notes Ksenia Kagner, co-founder of CIVILIAN.

Modern open-plan office with large windows, rows of wooden desks and gray office chairs, indoor plants, and two beige lounge chairs in the foreground.

Modern lounge area with beige sofas and round chairs, large windows overlooking a cityscape, indoor plants, and contemporary decor elements.

The reception area sets an inviting tone, with a bespoke travertine desk with rounded edges. Beige tiles decorate the exposed columns, while strategically placed acoustic treatments minimize distracting noise. In the main work area, instead of assigned desks, employees tend to tasks at 25-foot-long communal tables that seat 20 people on each side, complete with outlets and linear lighting. This arrangement supports a dynamic environment and fosters interaction between teams.

Modern office space with long wooden desks, several gray office chairs, large windows overlooking a cityscape, and a potted tree near the window.

A white vertical railing passes through a wooden tabletop with a slot, set against a background of a large, tiled cylindrical column.

Many of the furnishings are custom-made items with gentle curves that echo organic forms. Ten upholstered nooks and private phone booths limit sight lines and are ideal for heads-down, focused work. The executive offices function as shared huddle rooms which feature soft seating and breakout areas of varying sizes. These areas democratize access and still allow for privacy when needed. A window-side lounge with views of the East River and the Manhattan skyline serves as a prime gathering spot for staff and visitors.

Three light wood study booths are arranged in a row by large windows, with a potted tree and cityscape visible in the background.

Modern office space with wooden booth seating, a desk with a chair near large windows, potted trees, and a city view outside. The interior has neutral colors and minimalist design.

Modern conference room with a long wooden table, brown chairs, large windows overlooking a city skyline, indoor plants, and a neutral color palette.

The company’s signature colors are hot pink and vivid orange, found on packaging and printed collateral. Rather than highlight an accent wall with one of the bold hues, the team chose a sophisticated earthy palette of beige, gray, stone, and cream tints to serve as a backdrop for the vibrant shades and graphics. The interplay of plush fabrics, limewash finishes, and delicately painted surfaces invites exploration. White oak brings in a warmth that balances out the concrete elements. “There was a focus on texture and surface quality as a contrast, which really made the products and displays stand out,” says CIVILIAN co-founder Nicko Elliott.

Modern conference room with a long table, brown chairs, beige sofa, large windows, indoor plants, and a city skyline view across a river.

A modern conference room with tan chairs around a wooden table, large windows with a city skyline view, and colorful portraits on the walls.

A modern meeting room with a white table, brown chairs, white ceramic vases, colorful bottles on a shelf, and portrait photos on the wall; glass doors open to another office area.

A modern office space with a wooden table, chairs, a potted plant, and two colorful posters of women with hair products on the wall above a shelf holding bottles.

Flexible planning and the introduction of thoughtful design moments throughout improves the overall feeling within. The headquarters showcases the company’s unique identity while optimizing space and performance. It also now doubles as an event space in the evening, which exemplifies the studio’s holistic vision for the client. “The office is not just a place where people come to clock in and work, it has become a platform for amika as a haircare industry leader,” adds Kagner.

Modern office with neutral-toned furniture, a large window overlooking city buildings, potted plants, product displays, and posters featuring a smiling woman and skincare bottles.

Modern kitchen with beige cabinets, a brown marble countertop, wooden stools, a vase, and greenery on the island; beige tiled backsplash and minimalist pendant lights above.

Minimalist reception area with a curved desk, small plant, and a large wall photo of a smiling woman holding a phone, set against an orange backdrop.

Minimalist interior with curved beige walls, a built-in shelf displaying beauty products, a wall sconce, and a counter holding a potted plant.

For more information on CIVILIAN, visit civilianprojects.com.

Photography by Sean Davidson.

Anna Zappia is a New York City-based writer and editor with a passion for textiles, and she can often be found at a fashion exhibit or shopping for more books. Anna writes the Friday Five column, as well as commercial content.