Most offices for financial firms prioritize service over style in staid surroundings. For an accounting consultancy in the greater Tel Aviv area, KOT Architects and YOOLOPP  partnered to design the company’s space with a fresh take on a finance office. Dubbed THE LEDGER, in a nod to the transactions that take place within, the architects emphasized an interplay between traditional and contemporary elements in the surprisingly luxe workplace. Spanning the entire 12th floor, centuries-old buildings in London and Paris served as inspiration for THE LEDGER. “The client wanted the office to evoke European classical banking institutions combined with a hospitality feel,” says Kfir Galatia Azulay, founder of KOT Architects. He set the tone at the threshold, where visitors are greeted by exquisite stonework as they enter the lobby. There are diverse sectors tailored to a range of monetary business activities, including offices for management and lounges reminiscent of hotel salons. Unlike corporate settings with closed-off areas, transparency is key here. Conference rooms are surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass partitions to provide just enough privacy while maintaining a sense of openness. Rich textures and geometric motifs create movement, even underfoot. The flooring, a graphic combination of white marble and black granite, echoes the polished tiles of old depositories. The wizard bank, Gringotts, depicted in a Harry Potter movie, was particularly memorable to the architect. Complete with gleaming floors, columns, and chandeliers. Azulay captured that same essence, balancing grandeur with a touch of whimsy. The steel spiral staircase (one of two) at the heart of the office leads up to a spacious rooftop terrace with a coffee bar, where employees often take their breaks during the day. This outdoor area is an extension of the workspace, and is utilized for alfresco meetings and events. A curated selection of plush lounge furniture is found throughout the interior, by brands like Roche Bobois and Ditre Italia. Custom elements are in the mix, too, from rugs to millwork. The color palette complements the natural tones of the darker wood, rounded out with tints of beige and cream. The team wanted to reference the iconic banker’s lamp and its signature emerald shade without formulating an exact replica. In an updated twist, a fresh sage hue was chosen and placed on wall cladding. Azulay brought in an easy balance by pairing expected and unexpected facets. “The wood has a strong masculine presence, but it can be too heavy,” he notes. “We softened everything with organic curves, and it became so dynamic and light.” For more information, visit kotproject.com. Photography by Amit Geron.