AstraZeneca HK: A Revolutionary Workplace Design by Bean Buro

Transforming Traditional Office Spaces into Innovative Activity-Based Workplaces

The design aesthetic of AstraZeneca's new 11,000 sqft office space draws inspiration from the works of renowned artist Damien Hirst, particularly his Pill Cabinets and Pill Sculptures. This artistic influence is evident in the architectural volumes that resemble colourful pills, the large pill-shaped island table in the pantry, and the colourful carpets that intersect to create juxtaposed boundary conditions.

Bean Buro's design is a departure from traditional office spaces. It embraces an Activity Based Working philosophy, providing employees with a variety of work settings to choose from depending on their activities. This flexibility is a key feature of the design, promoting a more dynamic and engaging work environment.

The design team, led by Lorène Faure and Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui, responded to the brief by creating an open plan environment with different zones for socialising, informal collaborations, ergonomic workstation areas, and private meeting rooms. Acoustic booths for focused working were also incorporated into the design.

One of the standout features of the design is the pantry space, which serves as the social heart of the workplace. Employees can socialise and hold informal meetings using the central island table, the diner-style carts, and a 30-metre long counter along the panoramic windows that face the Victoria Harbour. The design also includes a function room next to the pantry that can be opened up to create a town hall-like space for up to 250 people.

The project, which started in August 2017 and was completed in December 2017, faced several design challenges. One of the main challenges was to create a calm and comfortable working environment while incorporating a vibrant colour scheme. The design team successfully achieved this by using muted hues of blues, greens, oranges, and reds.

The AstraZeneca HK office design by Bean Buro was awarded Silver in A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2018. This award recognises top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation.