Fyra Designs New Office for CBRE With Wellness in Mind
January 8, 2021
By Carlene Olsen
Soft textures and muted hues create a calming atmosphere inside the new CBRE office in Helsinki. Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.
In Finland, a country often ranked as the "happiest" in an annual U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network report, design and wellbeing go hand in hand. So when CBRE, an internationally recognized real estate consulting agency, tasked local firm Fyra with creating a new workspace in Helsinki, the team set out to take biophilic design to the next level.
When envisioning the space, the designers focused on creating a playful office with plenty of elements that invite exploration and discovery, while maintaining a distinguished aesthetic. The resulting facilities feature an internal zone, used only by employees, and an external zone that acts as a showroom and collaborative space. "One of the project goals was to make choices that genuinely impact the well-being of employees," the design team notes. "From a designer’s perspective, this was an ideal starting point." To do so, the team considered optimal air circulation and quality, natural light, fitness, and employees' overall comfort, incorporating greenery and water points throughout. And for moments that call for some R&R, designated "mindfulness spaces" offer the perfect opportunity to reset.