Designing Around the Desk

25 May 2026

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2 min read

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Material-led workspaces that work harder. The best commercial interiors don’t happen by accident. They’re the result of considered material choices, finishes that give each area its own identity, while aligning with the business brand and holding the overall space together. This edition showcases three recent workspace projects that do exactly that, pairing contrasting European Muros textures to create environments where people genuinely want to show up and do their best work.

A compact workplace footprint demands material choices that work hard without overwhelming. Muros Ledge Stone was specified by Harper Interior Design across the entry, boardroom, and columns to establish a unified architectural language throughout the space. The choice of ‘stone’ is intentional — an expression of the business’s brand values, symbolising trust and stability.

Its dry-stack, rectilinear format introduces controlled depth and shadow, while the lighter colourway supports light reflectance and spatial clarity. Paired with glass partitions and high-end timber, the result is a cohesive, refined environment.

Cognitus Economic Insight (Muros White Castilian Ledge Stone)

First impressions in a high-traffic reception don’t leave room for compromise. For WSP, 12 Muros Polished Concrete panels were specified in their regional office to deliver a finish that performs as well as it presents — aligned with their core competency, engineering solutions that last.

The concrete panels bring a modern, clean industrial character to the space while meeting the practical demands of a busy, customer-facing environment: durable, low-maintenance, and built for longevity. Paired with warm timber tones, the European-designed panels strike the right balance between solidity and welcome, creating an entrance that feels both professional and intentionally crafted.

WSP New Zealand (Muros Grey Polished Concrete)

Raw textures with refined execution. The pairing of ‘brick and concrete’ brings genuine industrial depth to this office and boardroom — a material palette that feels grounded and functional yet polished, striking the right balance between toughness and professionalism.

Robust, honest, and built for high performance. This workspace presents side-by-side Muros Roughcast Concrete with Muros Loft Brick in both white and black shades, for a balance of strength and personality that feels anything but accidental. The Roughcast Concrete replicates authentic poured concrete — cracks, air pockets and timber form lines included — while the Loft Brick brings warmth, texture and handcrafted character.

More workspace inspiration →

Industrial Sale/Leasing Offices (Muros White Loft Brick paired with Muros Grey Roughcast Concrete)