Corporate environments are often defined by what they remove—colour, personality, softness—in pursuit of professionalism. Bean Buro‘s latest project for a leading global financial institution in Hong Kong takes the opposite approach, introducing nature, vibrancy and hospitality as the foundations of workplace culture.

Spanning 54,000 square feet across three levels in One Island East, Quarry Bay, the design reimagines the financial office as a dynamic, human-centred environment. At its core is a commitment to wellbeing and collaboration, expressed through what the studio calls a “mangrove garden” concept—a nature-inspired framework that brings tropical richness into the heart of corporate life.

“Our design for this financial institution takes a progressive approach to workplace culture, aiming to blend natural elements with human-centred strategies and prioritising wellbeing and hospitality,” says Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui, co-founder of Bean Buro.

Each floor centres on a communal hub designed to evoke the density and vitality of a mangrove ecosystem. Tropical flora fills the space, while structural elements reminiscent of mangrove roots anchor uniquely shaped seating arrangements. More than decorative, these are strategic interventions designed to invite social interaction and teamwork in an industry often defined by individual workstations and closed-door meetings. The mangrove motif thus serves multiple functions: it provides visual identity, creates natural gathering points and introduces biophilic elements proven to enhance wellbeing and cognitive performance. In a sector where stress and long hours are standard, the design proposes a different baseline for daily work life.

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Bean Buro engaged Hong Kong artist Angel Hui to create site-specific installations that inject playful energy into the workplace. From bright sculptural trinkets to neon wall statements, Hui’s work captures local cultural narratives while creating Instagram-worthy moments that encourage staff interaction and pride of place. It’s a deliberate move away from generic corporate art. By commissioning local talent, the design roots the workspace in its Hong Kong context while creating conversation starters that transcend departmental boundaries.

Beyond the central hubs, the broader office areas employ an immersive design strategy. A bespoke lighting system set against timber-clad ceilings guides movement throughout the space, creating intuitive wayfinding without signage. Amenities are thoughtfully distributed, ensuring functional flow while maintaining visual cohesion. “Materials and colours were carefully selected to establish a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. The client’s iconic red colour is reinterpreted and paired with a wide range of hues in different elements, creating a space that challenges traditional corporate norms and inspires creativity,” says Lorène Faure, co-founder of Bean Buro.

The client’s signature red becomes a thread rather than a statement—appearing in accents, furnishings and details that complement a broader spectrum of warm and cool tones. The result is an environment that feels energised without overwhelming, yet still professional. Sustainability informs material choices throughout. Repurposed furnishings reduce waste, while bio-based wall finishes minimise environmental impact and improve indoor air quality. These decisions aren’t advertised through signage or marketing—they’re embedded in the project’s DNA, reflecting a client willing to invest in long-term well-being over short-term cost savings.

The design challenge was clear: honour the institution’s established brand identity while creating a contemporary workplace that attracts and retains talent in a competitive market. Bean Buro approached this through direct stakeholder engagement, developing a narrative that respected heritage while embracing new workplace paradigms. The team—Lorène Faure, Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui, Joy Lucas, Florence Chardonnal, Jamie Yue, Beatrice Andres, Jonathan Mok and Justine Wu—navigated typical project constraints through collaboration with contractor Wing Art Limited, project management by Canary Mind Limited, and artist Angel Hui.

In a premier Hong Kong office location, this project explores how financial institutions can approach new workplace design, showing that hospitality, biophilic design and cultural engagement are strategic investments in staff performance. The mangrove garden isn’t just a metaphor, but a living system that supports diverse species, structure and interconnection. Bean Buro has translated that ecological model into architectural form, creating a corporate environment where collaboration grows naturally.

Bean Buro
beanburo.com

Photography
HDP Photography