Henkel's redesigned Brussels office demonstrates how smart workspace planning can support different work modes. The project embodies Henkel's smartwork@office strategy - a global framework designed to create modern, flexible workspaces that foster a sense of belonging and support employee well-being through hybrid work models and biophilic design.

Top 3 priorities

- Create flexible space for hybrid work with a variety of spaces
- Encourage cross-functional collaboration
- Reduce environmental impact

Look & feel

Warm and vibrant with a local flavor

Special touches

- Space layout with wall and floor patterns inspired by the dynamic iconic Atomium located just outside of the building
- Privacy glass stickers featuring Brussels monuments on phone booths and meeting rooms
- Reused and repurposed materials and furniture aligned with Henkel's sustainability vision
- Natural wood tones and warm colors for a more welcoming atmosphere

Tailored spaces

- Multifunctional community space for team gatherings, lunches, informal meetings, and presentations
- Flexible project areas with movable furniture
Individual phone booths for confidential calls
- Focus zones for deep work
- Shared collaboration areas designed for spontaneous interactions
- Informal meeting zones between workstations

The Context

Henkel faced the space-efficiency challenge many organizations face in the hybrid work era. Their Brussels office needed to evolve into a flexible environment that supports collaboration and innovation.

‍The predominantly white-and-gray environment lacked warmth and vibrancy, making it difficult to stimulate creative collaboration.

‍The redesign project needed to align with Henkel's smartwork@office strategy, which emphasizes spaces that foster belonging and support well-being through activity-based working and biophilic design.

The Outcome

The focus on sustainability, collaboration, and employee experience inspired us to design a space where different teams connect and collaborate.

‍The community space became the heart of the office, bustling during lunches and popular for meetings and presentations. It creates the informal touchpoints where cross-functional ideas naturally emerge. Flexible project areas with movable furniture and screens let teams adapt their environment to the task at hand. Such agility fosters dynamic collaboration and invites the team to explore new ways of working. Phone booths solve the persistent need for private call spaces, reduce scheduling friction, and free up larger rooms for team meetings.

‍We strategically reused most furniture, partitions, and carpets to support Henkel's sustainability commitments. Through a strategic reuse approach to transforming their Brussels office, we achieved CO₂ savings of 21.23 tonnes. The Ecological Entrepreneur conducted an independent analysis comparing our reuse scenario with a theoretical all-new-materials approach. The results show that reusing glass walls, suspended ceilings, and floor coverings had the biggest impact, with glass wall reuse alone accounting for 74% of total project savings. Every reused element reduced environmental impact and brought something unique to this functional, people-centered workspace where the Henkel team thrives.

‍Wood tones and warm colors, combined with abundant natural light and biophilic elements, create an inviting atmosphere that draws people in.

‍The new environment now offers greater workspace variety and functionality.

‍We're grateful to Henkel for the opportunity to create a workspace that inspires their people to do their best work together!