Project Description

DFS is the world’s leading luxury travel retailer, focusing on creating inspiring omnichannel retail experiences for its customers. We are engaged to design the relocation for the DFS headquarters in Hong Kong. While designing the three consecutive floors, one of the challenges was to reuse and recycle the partial fitting out and furniture that stayed in the new premises and converting them to meet DFS values. The resulting design and refurbishment work is successful, creating a welcoming, people-centric space that facilitates connection and collaboration, implementing the company values, and supporting sustainability and well-being. The overall palette consists of various earth-tone flooring materials; layered square and concave stripes provide simple but rich texture; ivory white and honey-toned veneer hangs from the ceiling; sand-tone upholstery, contrastive with the company's iconic red color; and Arabescato marble counter top. A large multi-purpose lounge and café are set near the main entrance, greeting staff and clients and allowing connection in various forms. Double-glazed operable walls with the DFS monogram are used to create flexibility from small meetings to town hall events. Soft and hard materials are carefully selected for better acoustic performance and to create a cozy atmosphere. A new staircase is being designed in the heart of the office to connect three floors for connectivity and productivity. DFS red is used as the dominant eye-catching feature, with honey-toned veneer layering the external faces. Collaboration space with coffee points, an IT Genius Bar, meeting facilities, and lockers is well planned adjacent to the staircase. While the staff communal areas share the panoramic harbor views, an open and functional workplace is achieved among the three floors. Phone booths and hybid working environment carry throughout the space. Red acoustic ceiling as a highlight with plants as a divider between the teams.     Featured artworks designed in communal spaces provided an opportunity to engage with local artists. The Zen art heightens the entrance experience and provides a focal point within the social spaces with its elegant simplicity, contrasting with the rest of the LED screens with DFS marketing visuals. YO Design responded to the challenge by creating flexible spaces that enrich the client experience and selectively reusing existing elements to seek a more sustainable outcome. Overall, we created a dynamic workplace that provides clients and employees with memorable experiences.