Palatino Hospitality / Bean Buro

Architects: Bean Buro
Photography: Bean Buro
Architects Team: Lorène Faure, Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui, Aman Chan, Phoebe Yeung, Florence Chardonnal, Jamie Yue, Beatrice Andres
Contractor: Winsmart Contracting Co. Ltd
Client: Palatino Hospitality
Location: Wan Chai
Country: Hong Kong

Designed by Bean Buro for luxury products brand Palatino Hospitality, this workplace reinterprets the office as a hospitality-inspired environment focused on well-being, flexibility, and sensory comfort. The project translates the client’s premium identity into a carefully curated interior defined by natural materials, warm earth-toned finishes, and a strong connection to nature. Biophilic design principles inform the spatial composition, integrating greenery throughout the workplace to promote physical and mental wellness while creating a welcoming atmosphere for employees and visitors alike. Open workspaces are balanced by meeting rooms, phone booths, and informal social areas that accommodate a variety of working styles and encourage collaboration. Attention to lighting, acoustics, and material selection contributes to a comfortable and productive environment, while custom furnishings and refined detailing reinforce the sense of luxury. Through a close collaboration between client and designer, the project establishes a contemporary workplace that merges hospitality, functionality, and human-centered design into a cohesive and elegant experience.

As organizations increasingly seek to attract employees back to the workplace, office design has expanded beyond efficiency-driven planning to embrace comfort, experience, and well-being. For Palatino Hospitality, this evolution provided an opportunity to create a workplace that reflects the values of a luxury brand while fostering creativity and engagement. Rather than adopting a conventional corporate aesthetic, Bean Buro approached the project as a sanctuary for employees, drawing inspiration from hospitality environments that prioritize warmth, relaxation, and a sense of belonging.

The design narrative is rooted in an appreciation for natural beauty and material richness. A palette of earthy browns, soft beiges, and warm neutral tones establishes a calm atmosphere throughout the workplace, while timber, brass, and textured finishes introduce depth and tactility. Carefully selected furnishings and accessories contribute to an environment that feels refined yet approachable, allowing luxury to be expressed through subtle details rather than overt gestures. The restrained material language creates visual continuity while reinforcing the brand’s sophisticated identity.

Biophilic design principles play a central role in shaping the spatial experience. Greenery is integrated throughout the office as both an aesthetic and organizational element, creating a layered environment that encourages a stronger connection with nature. Planters and storage units define zones within the open-plan layout, generating a sense of structure without compromising openness. Graceful arches further soften the interior, guiding movement through the workplace and introducing a fluid architectural language that contrasts with the rigidity often associated with contemporary offices.

The workplace has been carefully organized to support a diverse range of professional activities. Open work areas are complemented by meeting rooms, phone booths, and more secluded spaces that allow employees to transition between collaborative and focused work. Hidden corners nestled among planting areas provide moments of privacy within the larger office landscape, while the social pantry serves as a central gathering point. Featuring diner-style seating and a terrazzo dining table positioned near natural light, the space encourages informal interaction and strengthens the sense of community within the workplace.

Environmental comfort was a key consideration throughout the project. Daylight is maximized to create a bright and uplifting atmosphere, while warm artificial lighting has been carefully integrated to maintain visual comfort throughout the day. Acoustic treatments and thoughtful planning help minimize distractions, supporting concentration and productivity. The completed workplace demonstrates how hospitality-inspired design can redefine the modern office, creating an environment where luxury, nature, and functionality converge to support both individual well-being and collective creativity.