Grande Interior Design employs rounded elements and indoor plants to turn a Tsuen Wan office into a bright, airy green space.
Based on human-centric design, interior design firm Grande Interior Design recently remodelled an office in Tsuen Wan into a soothing green environment, where employees can work and collaborate happily with each other. Sprawling 8,000 square feet in area, the office is now home to a number of shared communal spaces and decked out in natural, organic elements
“Because the office has a large footprint, balancing out the space proportions is no easy task,” says Matthew Li, creative director at Grande Interior Design.
“This includes deciding on the work area locations, how much communal space we should include, how we can improve the facilities, etc. Efficiently segmenting the space was a big part of the brief. You need to be able to tell the work area and communal zones apart, and yet integrate them into the entire design concept.”
To steer clear of a cluttered and cramped layout, the design team did away with the partitions commonly seen in traditional offices and opted instead for an open floor plan. While the public space sits at the heart of the office, round and curved corners have been designed to connect every nook and corner to ensure visual consistency.
Li says the client focuses on the design industry, so craved a luxe lifestyle and an aesthetically appealing workplace. For that very reason, the design team sourced a range of designer furniture from prime European brands for the public spaces.
Remaking a large office is not without its challenges. Meeting the requirements and design preferences of clients is just one of them, we have to really get down to the nitty-gritty.
Highlights include the Godot Sofa and Little Petra wool chair from the Danish home furnishing brands Menu Space, and &Tradition, as well as the Fauteuil de Salon armchairs from the Swiss brand Vitra.
Though there is no clear division between the shared space and the work area, Li made use of grid transparent screens, splitting the space up and giving the interior a transparent appeal. The open-plan floor and lush greenery perched neatly next to the workbench are conducive to improving staff morale and productivity.
Next up was the colour temperature. Communal zones have a warmer yellow tone to conjure a cosy atmosphere, while the work areas integrate cool white light so that employees won’t strain their eyes, and can be more focused during work hours.
An inviting dining environment is also important, as well-designed work and communal areas foster a sense of community among employees.
The designer took full advantage of the expansive views from the office window and arranged the dining area right by the sprawling tableau, outfitting it with an exquisite marble round table and FLOS’ iconic “IC” chandelier. It’s designed to feel like a “laid-back coffee shop”, where staff can lunch over the spectacular sea view and make the most of their break time.
“Remaking a large office is not without its challenges. Meeting the requirements and design preferences of clients is just one of them, we have to really get down to the nitty-gritty,” Li says.
“Things such as how the space is going to be used on a daily basis, how we can craft an ambience that meets the functional and aesthetic requirements, while integrating our studio’s distinct style in the lighting, space planning, and material selection. At the end of the day, the process has been as enriching for us as it has been for the client.”
