Henkel, Brussels

Team

98 workspots

Industry

Consumer goods and adhesive technologies

Objectives

Downsize their office into a smarter, more flexible workspace for hybrid work

Space

Size: 1,820 m²

Location: Brussels

Year: 2025

Community space with seating overlooking Atomium in Henkel Brussels office renovated by Space Refinery

Henkel's redesigned Brussels office demonstrates how smart workspace planning can do more with less. The project embodies Henkel's Smart Work@Office strategy- a global framework designed to create modern, flexible workspaces that foster a sense of belonging and support employee well-being through hybrid work models and biophilic design.

Top 3 priorities

Create flexible space for hybrid work with a variety of spaces
Encourage cross-functional collaboration
Reduce environmental impact

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Look & Feel

Warm and vibrant with a local touch

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Special touches

Space layout with wall and floor patterns inspired by the dynamic iconic Atomium located just outside of the building
Privacy glass stickers featuring Brussels monuments on phone booths and meeting rooms
Reused and repurposed materials and furniture aligned with Henkel's sustainability targets
Natural wood tones and warm colors for a more welcoming atmosphere

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Tailored spaces

Multifunctional community space for team gatherings, lunches, informal meetings, and presentations
Flexible project areas with movable furniture
Individual phone booths for confidential calls
Focus zones for deep work
Shared collaboration areas designed for spontaneous interactions
Informal meeting zones between workstations

Henkel is a leading global company in adhesive technologies and consumer brands, operating in over 75 countries. Their Brussels office serves as a key hub for European operations, supporting teams across business units in creating innovative products that improve people's lives. The company's commitment to sustainability and collaboration drives its approach to modern workplace design.

Debby Reviers, HSR Infrastructure Manager BeNeLux at Henkel

"We didn't realize it could be such a big change. Our team loves the vibe the new design brings to the office!”

Debby Reviers, HSR Infrastructure Manager BeNeLux, Henkel

Cristiano G. Amato, Corporate Real Estate Manager at Henkel

"Everyone is happy with the final result. This is the proof of our good collaboration."

Cristiano G. Amato, Corporate Real Estate Manager, Henkel

The Context

Henkel faced the challenge of space efficiency that many organizations see in the hybrid work era. Their 3,300 m² Brussels office had become too large for daily occupancy patterns, with big meeting rooms frequently left half-empty. The physical distance between departments started to create siloed teams.

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The predominantly white and gray environment lacked warmth and vibrancy, making it difficult to attract people back to the office and stimulate creative collaboration.

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The redesign project needed to align with Henkel's Smart Work@Office strategy, which emphasizes creating spaces that create a sense of belonging and support well-being through activity-based working and biophilic design.

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The challenge was clear: transform the space to "bring more people back into the office and have them excited again to work together".

Two people collaborating in a meeting booth in Henkel Brussels office renovated by Space Refinery

Meeting room in Henkel Brussels office renovated by Space Refinery

The Outcome

The focus on sustainability, collaboration, and employee experience inspired us to design a space where different teams connect and collaborate.

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The community space became the heart of the office, bustling during lunches and popular for meetings and presentations. It creates the informal touchpoints where cross-functional ideas naturally emerge.

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Flexible project areas with movable furniture and screens enable teams to adapt their environment for the task at hand. Such agility fosters dynamic collaboration and invites the team to explore new ways of working.

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Phone booths solve the persistent problem of needing private call spaces, minimize scheduling friction, and free up larger rooms for team meetings.

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We strategically reused most furniture, partitions, and carpets to support Henkel's sustainability commitments.

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Wood tones and warm colors, combined with abundant natural light and biophilic elements, create an inviting atmosphere that draws people in.

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Even if downsized by one-third, the environment now offers greater workspace variety and functionality. As Cristiano G. Amato, Corporate Real Estate Manager, adds: "The office is designed so nicely that the missing 1,000m2 are not even felt by the team."

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We're grateful to Henkel for the opportunity to create a workspace that inspires their people to do their best work together!