Warner Music Hong Kong: A Symphony of Design and Function

Bean Buro's Innovative Approach to Workplace Design for Warner Music

Designers Lorène Faure and Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui were inspired by the rich music heritage of Warner Music. The design inhabits the top floor of an office building, offering views across the bay to Hong Kong Island. The challenge was to maintain the openness of the space by maximizing views, while creating a comfortable and inhabitable environment that would support both local artists and Warner Music staff by improving interactions across the company.

The design palette incorporates classic materials, such as timber, natural leather, textile fabrics, and brushed bronze finishes. The architectural surfaces are kept clean with subtle details, including metal trims and leather handles, complemented by a mixture of Asian and European furniture. This unique design differentiates it from other workplaces, making it a true reflection of the company's rich music heritage.

The timber element incorporates informal seating areas, display niches for musical instruments and vinyls, acoustically insulated phone booths, efficient concealed storages, and expands spatially to form a stage area and semi-enclosed rooms. Combining dark and light timber with metal and leather details, the architectural element defines the otherwise simple space, and houses a boardroom and two private offices that are partially visible through clear glass walls.

Custom designed furniture items enhance the space, and act as a subtle nod to the history of the music industry; wheeled storage units, inspired by touring suitcases, provide discreet storage for staff, the feature boardroom table is finished with a brushed brass surface, reflecting the materiality of brasswind instruments, while the recessed company logo in the entrance lobby is reminiscent of traditional leather instrument cases.

An open, cafe-like space forms the social hub of the office and acts as a welcoming area for guests and an informal workspace for staff. The stage area is elevated as a box volume, which contains a music room, artist room and executive office. Audiovisual equipment is incorporated into the design for performances and DJ sessions. Views out into the city are maintained, creating an open, light-filled environment.

The project started in October 2015 in Hong Kong and finished in March 2016. Integrated planters help to define the space for each department while maintaining daylight and views across the harbour. Areas in the office are also marked out by floor finishes. In the central cafe and performance space, epoxy flooring is intended to evoke the industrial history of the area while, in the workspaces, timber flooring gives a warm, domestic feeling.

The design was awarded Silver in A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2017. This prestigious award is rewarded to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. These designs, admired for their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.