Hasselt-based design and build agency Creneau transforms the learnings of the pandemic into a human-centric and future-proof office design for listed insurance multinational Ageas. The 5000m2 "better than home" inspirational and future-proof work environment, filled with custom, vintage and contemporary design, will provide a home-base to some 250 employees and is primarily focused on their wellbeing as well as attracting new talent.
More flexibility, community, wellbeing, sustainability and better technology, the needs of the post-covid work environment call for a revolution in office design. "Hybrid working has gained momentum in recent years," says Ageas CEO Hans De Cuyper, "it works, however we also see the added value in the positive energy and growth generated by in-person collaboration." With that in mind, he engaged Creneau to design new headquarters that not only convey the group's identity, but also bring a sense of home to the office.
Creneau's years of experience in hospitality thus find a unique new application here. The fact that this is not your average Brussels office becomes clear as soon as you step out of the elevator. On the 14th floor of the prestigious Manhattan Building in Brussels, a light-flooded atrium welcomes employees and visitors as guests in a hotel lobby. The abundant presence of greenery creates a winter garden effect which instantly raises the general level of well-being. Seating areas ranging from lounge chairs and bistro tables to bar settings invite people to give personal preferences free reign when selecting a meeting or work space and facilitate casual meetings and connection moments. No grey refectory or kitchen here, but a luxurious bar in Patagonia quartzite, lit with Tom Dixon's Press Cone pendant lights, where one can enjoy a snack or a drink. Only the carefully concealed power outlets in tables and walls as well as library-style bronze table lamps reveal that this is actually a work environment. A majestic floating staircase in walnut and glass, outlined with indirect lighting, acts both as an impressive eye-catcher and a warm, atmospheric connector between the floors.
The emphasis on hospitality is repeated with a welcoming coffee corner on each floor, an invitation to a moment of personal connection before going to work. Where connection is key as one enters, the focus later shifts to work comfort with the integration of acoustic elements such as double glass, upholstered wall panelling, high-pile carpeting and perforated ceilings. Undulating walls in glass or walnut, round shapes in custom-made room dividers and organic meeting tables ensure that the original rectangular office environment completely disappears. The sense of home is further enhanced by a residential material palette consisting of wood, natural stone and upholstery. The ubiquitous indirect lighting creates a pleasant and cozy atmosphere, only at the workstations is the standard of 500 lux implemented.
Based on an extensive preliminary study by Procos Group outlining concrete recommendations in terms of infrastructure, flow and capacity, Creneau designed the space to facilitate a multitude of work modes. In addition to the co-working style atrium, the floors offer "office neighborhoods" that combine the positive features of open-plan workplaces with the benefits of privacy and tranquility. Here we find, among other things, height-adjustable flex desks and bookable meeting and concentration spaces. While the flex workspaces and office spaces are located in the shell of the building to take full advantage of natural daylight, the spaces in the core address functional needs such as meeting rooms optimized with large dual screens for state-of-the-art videoconferencing, cockpits inviting silence and deep-focus work, or IT services with extra secure access. The many glass walls, translucent curtains and decorative room dividers illustrate the importance of a balance between openness on the one hand, and peace and privacy on the other.
On the 17th and top floor we find a second front desk where special guests are welcomed directly into a sky lounge with exclusive reception area fully equipped with separate catering kitchen for events. Through a double door we then access the boardroom, an impressive oval office for this international company, offering a panoramic view over the city, but also curtains all around to guarantee privacy. The large oval table seats 18 board-members, with a built-in screen for each seat and again 2 life-size screens that allow global conferencing.
It is evident that Ageas CEO Hans de Cuyper knows his way around art and design, in this flagship branch we don't find a focus on anonymous office chairs but a combination of vintage and contemporary design, anything which is not custom made by Creneau has a signature. From the duo of Saarinen Whomb chairs welcoming you to the atrium, the beautiful hunting green Prouvé chairs in the meeting rooms, to the Paulin Tulip chairs by Artifort casually placed around the reception tables on the top floor, everything attests to a conscious choice for design that has and will stand the test of time. For the vintage furniture, Modest Furniture in Antwerp was called in. They searched for a number of collector's items such as the Easy and Bucket chairs by Fabricus & Kastholm and the Paper Knife lounge chairs by Kai Kristiansen. But Ageas didn’t only endorse established names, together with Creneau they partnered with 2 art organizations: “Kunst in Huis” (Art at Home) and Copper & Light that give a platform to young and starting artists. The art is not bought but rented, this way the company can regularly exhibit new artists which again shows their commitment to connect and inspire.
