Inspiration

Savo’s new creative space at Ioffice in Gothenburg

Creating a modern and functional office in a historic 19th-century building may sound like a challenge, but for Kristina Jonsson, the interior design lead for Savo’s new office in Gothenburg, it was a creative journey filled with innovative solutions and elegant choices. The result is a perfect example of how contemporary Scandinavian design can meet and honor historical settings without losing the sense of modern elegance and functionality.

A building with history

The project began with an on-site inspection in the spring, and it quickly became clear that this was no ordinary space. The Ioffice building, located in the old Sjöbefälsskolan, is an impressive structure with roots dating back to the 1800s, marked by maritime tradition. With its characteristic towers and two large rooftop terraces, the office enjoys a stunning view over Gothenburg’s harbor.

“The building has an incredible character and history, and I really wanted to preserve that rich, warm feeling in the room without compromising the functionality a modern office requires,” Kristina Jonsson explains.

Aesthetic and function in perfect harmony

Instead of choosing classic white office furniture, Kristina opted for a warm color palette that exudes Scandinavian minimalism with a twist.

“We wanted to maintain a warm and rich atmosphere without it becoming dark or gloomy,” Kristina explains.

The result is an inviting mix of earthy browns, soft pink hues and beige, combined with off-white details. The desks were covered in walnut linoleum – a bold choice that quickly became popular among employees.

The chairs selected for the office – Savo Soul, Joi, Spine and Invite – combine ergonomics with elegant design, contributing to the Scandinavian sense of lightness and functionality. For Kristina, it was important that each piece of furniture not only looked appealing but also served a clear purpose.

“We needed spaces for individual workstations, larger meetings and coffee breaks. Each zone has its own function, but the design remains cohesive. The small details, like the lacquered legs on the tables, add a sophisticated touch,” says Kristina.

Savo Spine used at Ioffice is available in several other variants.

Turning challenges into opportunities

No project is without challenges, and for Savo’s new office, the ceiling height was one of the biggest.

“There were two different ceiling heights in the room, which made the furniture layout tricky. We had to rethink our approach to find a solution that worked,” Kristina explains.

The final solution divided the room in a way that maximized both the high and low sections while keeping the space cohesive and airy.

To highlight and protect the room’s architectural details, curtains from Vescom and Ludvig Svensson became a key feature. The curtains were paired with fabrics from Kvadrat and Gabriel, creating a framing that added luxury and warmth.

“Curtains are a fantastic way to add texture and improve acoustics without touching the walls. They also gave us the opportunity to hide parts of the room that we didn’t want to emphasize,” she explains.

A space people want to be in

Since the office was completed, employees and visitors have flocked in – and they love what they see.

“We’ve received incredibly positive feedback. One thing that everyone has commented on is that it’s not just white and standard. Visitors are also impressed with how we managed to create an office that feels welcoming yet exclusive,” Kristina says with a smile.

The office has become a place that not only functions as a workspace but also as a showroom where Savo’s design philosophy is showcased in practice.

For Kristina, the interior design is about communicating Savo’s journey and progress. An example of this is the lacquered tables, which with their black edges and metallic surfaces show that Savo is not afraid to be exclusive.

“If we had done this five or ten years ago, it would have looked completely different. We are bolder now, and it shows!”