Workplace designed as an urban sanctuary

We spoke with Bean Buro Founding Directors Lorène Faure and Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui about designing a workplace that blurs the line between office and hospitality.

The project sits within one of Hong Kong‘s busiest districts. How did the site influence the design?

Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui: The project is located in the heart of Wan Chai, Hong Kong — a dynamic urban neighbourhood known for the contrast between old and new. The site gave us an opportunity to create a calm, refined retreat within the city‘s fast-paced rhythm. The design responds by offering a luxurious sanctuary that feels worlds away from the streets below.

Lorène Faure: The urban setting inspired us to create an interior that feels like an escape. We wanted employees and visitors to step into a space that feels warm, elegant and tranquil despite being in the centre of one of Hong Kong’s busiest districts.

Workplace designed as an urban sanctuary

What was the client’s brief?

Lorène Faure: Palatino Hospitality came to us with a clear vision: to create a workplace that reflected its luxury hospitality brand while supporting creativity and wellbeing for employees. The brief was about bringing hospitality and retail qualities into the workplace to create an inviting environment for both staff and visitors.

Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui: The client wanted the office to feel luxurious but welcoming — a place where people could thrive. They were also open to exploring biophilic design and sustainable materials, which aligned closely with our own values. Every detail, from the layout to the material selection, needed to express the brand’s commitment to hospitality and refinement.

How did materiality shape the project?

Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui: Rich materials were central to achieving the hospitality atmosphere. A marble table anchors the main meeting room, elevating what is typically a functional office space. The showroom features bespoke display cabinetry for Palatino’s products, while metallic accents and carefully considered lighting introduce another layer of sophistication.

Lorène Faure: We worked with a warm palette of browns, nudes and beiges, using textured finishes, timber and marble to bring warmth and refinement into the workplace. Arches soften the interiors and improve the flow through the space, while planters and storage elements help define different zones. Sustainability was also important, so we selected materials that were both environmentally responsible and visually enduring.

What were the key functional priorities?

Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui: The layout balances collaboration with focused work. We introduced open work areas alongside meeting rooms and phone booths, while the showroom doubles as a presentation space for clients through a series of arched display cabinets.

Lorène Faure: The social pantry became an important gathering space for staff, while a gallery within the corridor introduces an unexpected cultural element to the office. Acoustic treatments and careful planning help create quieter spaces for concentration, ensuring the workplace remains both adaptable and comfortable throughout the day.

Do you have a favourite moment within the project?

Lorène Faure: I love the working corners nestled amongst the greenery. They create a tropical garden atmosphere and give employees somewhere to focus or recharge. The marble meeting table is another favourite because it transforms an everyday meeting into something much more memorable.

Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui: For me, it’s the guest bathroom. It’s a space many offices overlook, but we treated it with the same attention as the rest of the project, using marble finishes to create a memorable experience. I also love the showroom and the gallery corridor, which together make the workplace feel more like a boutique hotel than a conventional office.