Expertise: Narrative-driven Workplaces
Weaving a Tapestry of Poetic Narratives
Authors:
Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui, co-founder of Bean Buro
Lorène Faure, co-founder of Bean Buro
At Bean Buro, our journey in designing innovative workplaces is paved with poetic narratives that breathe life into every project we undertake. Inspired by our clients' brand identities, the unique characteristics of the site context, and various elements of art, literature, photography, and science, we weave artistic stories that flourish in spatial experiences. Our unique methodology aims to foster creativity outside the box, not only to meet the client's design brief but also to innovate and explore untapped ideas.
At the heart of our design philosophy lies the power of a strong poetic story that sparks excitement, coalesces organisations around a common goal, and promotes a bespoke sense of hospitality. Eschewing traditional office cubicle setups in favor of contemporary ones driven by sociable interactions, our innovative workplace designs smoothen employees' change management processes while enhancing their comfort, well-being, and sense of hospitality.
Our hallmark narrative-driven workplace designs can be seen in a myriad of projects. For instance, the design behind our high-end co-working brand The Work Project was inspired by the site's historical context as a vibrant fishing community, featuring the curved canopies of the boats. This narrative led to a sculptural identity portrayed in a set of reception meeting room volumes with flexible events, reminiscent of a building within a building.
For Landmark South, our approach entailed maximising the use of natural daylight and sustainable materials while accentuating the beautiful view from the grade A office building in Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong. Creating a bespoke terrazzo bar table with organic wavy lines and a green marble reception seating platform, we encouraged natural interactions and collaboration in a relaxing environment.
Nature's elements and soft textures influenced our design for health and beauty company Project E Beauty. Utilising a soothing color palette and curved geometries, we incorporated abstract wall patterns, custom door handles, and delicate color touches throughout the space, ensuring every detail exuded a unique sense of playfulness and comfort.
As for L'Oréal, the world's largest cosmetics company, our narrative unfolded as a dance between Parisian street scenes and traditional Chinese gardens. Inspired by Parisians socialising in their neighborhood cafes, we connected indoor and outdoor spaces in social settings. Meanwhile, traditional Chinese motifs, featuring timber ceilings and slatted screen walls, offered architectural devices to differentiate public and private spaces while fostering continuity and harmony.
For Best World's headquarters in Singapore, we were inspired by nature and the brand's commitment to skincare and wellness. We designed a multifunctional green garden island cafe in the central open pantry area that caters to town hall events, providing cafe seatings and a mirrored ceiling above it, which creates a captivating optical effect.
For the global advertising company Leo Burnett, we found inspiration in the brand's origins in Williamsburg, where the post-industrial qualities echoed those of the Kwun Tong district in Hong Kong. Drawing from the legacy of shipbuilders in the area, we crafted a set of sculptural meeting rooms using curved timber with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Our design for ship management company Anglo-Eastern evolved from a photograph by Alastair Philip Wiper, which showcased the architecture of a large ship. This inspired us to envision the company as a metaphorical ship with different levels and departments that interact across three floors, reflecting Anglo-Eastern's identity as a leading global ship management company.
Travel tech company Klook's workspace stemmed from the thrill of travel and dynamic transportation. We translated the essence of aviation construction into a stimulating working environment, drawing material references from artist Olafur Eliasson's works, particularly his multicolored glass walkway, "Your Rainbow Panorama."
Lastly, our design for UBER's Hong Kong workplace was inspired by Gottfried Semper's writings on vessels, where every part has its own role while cooperating to achieve an overall goal. We designed an undulating, dark blue inhabitable vessel integrating meeting rooms, service areas, and private work booths, reflecting the city's waterfront topography and curvy mountains.
Our commitment to crafting poetic narratives through workplace design allows us to create unique, captivating spaces that elevate organizations' development and foster employee satisfaction. As Bean Buro, our artistic stories find their home in the spaces we touch, supporting us in our quest to reshape the landscape of workplace design.