Located in the vibrant Zone 1 district of Aldgate, where the City of London meets the creative East, Alma launched in September 2024, offering 159 new apartments to rent, from studios to three bedrooms. Alma residents enjoy spacious, light-filled, and refined apartments with generous living spaces and artful interiors. Including a bespoke concierge service and access to a suite of boutique amenities—plus co-working space and an 8th-floor residents’ lounge—Alma meets the ever-evolving tenant expectations for modern city living.
An increasing challenge for new urban developments is to match growing tenant demands for the responsible, sustainable, and ethical considerations of their new homes. By partnering with designers and makers that adhere to strict ethical production policies, every piece of furniture inside Alma’s apartments and amenity spaces was sourced with respect for both people and the environment.
The Furniture Practice’s Sustainable Approach
The Furniture Practice was appointed to ensure a reduced carbon footprint for Alma’s furnishings. Founded in 1997, The Furniture Practice is a B Corp-certified company that collaborates with clients and professional teams to create impactful living and workplace environments internationally.
The Furniture Practice operated a rigorously audited supply chain on behalf of Alma to ensure that each supplier selected for the development’s furnishing met sustainability targets. Carbon reduction was achieved through the implementation of a close-to-home supply chain, with specific criteria established to ensure no item of furniture housed at Alma would endanger human health—either at the producer or user end—or use factories without ethical production policies.
Alma’s furnishings have been crafted with timeless designs and carefully sourced to ensure both longevity and style. For items that may need refreshing or for residents wishing to add personalized touches to their homes, pieces such as apartment sofas, beds, and coffee tables have been created with circular design principles in mind, offering both adaptability and lasting value.
Data supplied by manufacturers allowed The Furniture Practice to calculate the total carbon impact of each item in the fit-out, thus transparently disclosing the furniture’s overall carbon footprint.
Locally Sourced and Sustainable Materials
All furniture at Alma was made and supplied by partners based within the UK and Europe. All apartment case goods, such as sofas and armchairs, were made in the UK by domestic manufacturers.
British-based manufacturers were chosen to provide a number of bespoke TV units, bedside tables, and coffee tables made from durable, responsibly sourced timbers, guaranteeing both sustainability and a long product lifespan.
Other manufacturers were specifically chosen for their provision of low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) materials, emphasizing a commitment to healthier material choices, as demonstrated in products including Andreu World Reverse Conference Tables, Foresso Top Console Tables, and Pedrali Nolita Outdoor Chairs.
Bespoke Artworks from Local Artists
The sustainable furnishing of communal spaces is complemented by a series of specially commissioned bespoke artworks made by eight local artists handpicked from the thriving arts and culture scene in the Aldgate area. These artists were carefully selected by The Furniture Practice’s dedicated team to ensure that the artwork, along with all accessories and styling, seamlessly aligned with the overall Alma design philosophy and intent.
Statements from Alma and The Furniture Practice
Amelia Polowyj, General Manager of Alma, comments:
“At Alma, we believe that modern city apartments are enjoyed not only for their elegance, functionality, and comfort but for their ethical considerations too. By working with The Furniture Practice and prioritizing sustainability standards in all furniture choices in our apartments and amenities, we are proud to set a new benchmark for London rental life that respects both our residents’ needs and the environment.”
Tas Kanyangarara, Senior Furniture Consultant at The Furniture Practice and FF&E Lead for Alma, adds:
“It was truly inspiring to take such a collaborative, creative approach to Alma’s apartments and amenities, resulting in an FF&E package that balances timeless design, responsible sourcing, and thoughtful features that promote sustainability and longevity—all while capturing the unique Alma lifestyle. The project’s strong sustainability philosophy became central to the entire process, shaping a result we’re incredibly proud to have contributed to.”
For more information about Alma, visit www.alma-aldgate.co.uk.
