Tasked to create an inspiring and comfortable experience and solve visibility issues, Bean Buro has revamped the experience of three customer-facing areas at the headquarters of Kerry Logistics in Hong Kong. Located at a cargo centre within an industrial district, the clients felt that the entrance of the building was a challenge to locate, while the main reception and convention centre felt old and unwelcoming. “Our proposal was to address these main front of house elements to strengthen the identity of the building from the ground level, and linking up with the top floor welcoming space through contemporary art and high quality materials,” says Bean Buro Director, Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui.

Bean Buro conceived an art installation composed of tall LED light columns just outside the building’s entrance. The installation functions as an iconic landmark that intuitively guides visitors to the building through colours that represent the branding of Kerry Logistics. Clad in lightweight mesh, the eye-catching columns glow and pulsate in multiple colours at night, attracting attention. The positioning of the columns were composed based on the analysis of the company’s logistical bar charts, as well as traffic around the site.

Occupying the top floor of the building, the reception is open, comfortable and interactive to welcome staff and visitors alike to the space. Echoing a museum-like experience, a 9-metre long LED screen with abstract animations backdrop the space. An open café with sculptural and moveable furniture, including original 1950s classic Eero Saarinen chairs, lend a soft touch to the space. With spatial flexibility in mind, a boardroom can be opened up for events, or closed for private meetings when required. Oversized ceramic floor tiles by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec ground the 346-square-metre space with an earthy look and feel.

Accessible from the reception, the convention centre seats up to 150 people during seminars and screenings. A range of visually-soothing blue hues are applied across the tiered auditorium seating, acoustic panels and stage area. Moveable and stackable chairs are positioned at the front to offer additional seating when required. Wrapped with Kvadrat fabrics, the custom-made acoustic panels further enhance the sense of well-being.