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Heineken

When Heineken decided to relocate from an out-of-town business park to the heart of Edinburgh, they sought a space that would embody their brand and heritage while significantly enhancing their team's workplace experience through improved collaboration.
Sector Food and Beverages
Size (sq ft) 43,000
Location Edinburgh

The big idea

When Heineken made the decision to move from an out of town business park into the heart of Edinburgh, they sought a space that was both a reflection of their brand and history but also offered their team an improved workplace experience that allowed for meaningful collaboration – Neither of which their previous building could offer.

With 40,000+ sq ft to work with across two floors, our design brings to life one of the world’s most renowned brands and their many subsidiaries.

Nailing the brief

Heineken welcomed our team to Amsterdam, inviting us to explore the Heineken Experience and their head office. They were keen for us to fully understand their brand story and heritage, allowing our design to draw inspiration from their Dutch origins and ensure continuity in their spaces globally. This visit provided much of the inspiration for the final design giving our team an in depth look at the operations and processes at Heineken.

When visitors enter the office they are greeted by a reception area featuring a brand wall made of wooden panels engraved with subsidiary logos. Built with a modular click system, it allows for future additions, making it a flexible and evolving feature. Throughout the workspace, branded elements are subtly and boldly integrated, from green tones and glass accents to custom graphics and Heineken’s iconic star motif, ensuring the brand is consistently present without overwhelming the space.

Flexible breakout areas allow for focused, collaborative, and social activity, enabling employees to work in an environment that best suits the needs of their particular task. Modular furniture and movable partitions allow the space to evolve with changing business needs, supporting both hybrid and in-person work.

The design features a mix of open-plan workstations and a number of meeting rooms, each aptly named after one of Heineken’s many subsidiaries. Brand iconography, memorabilia and storytelling walls, are present throughout the space reinforcing company values and history.

The standout feature of the design is the social area, complete with a fully functioning bar inspired by the Amsterdam head office. Featuring thousands of Heineken beer bottles hanging from the ceiling and all of their much-loved beers available on draught, the bar is the perfect place for their team to unwind together by enjoying a drink, and having a game of foosball or darts.

The design also includes a cellar that perfectly mirrors real-world conditions. The cellar offers prospective brands and clients a hands-on glimpse into the brewing process and offers immersive, hands-on experience for visitors.

Sustainability was a big driver on the project from design through to final handover. The original architectural structure, partitioning, and carpets were all reused from the previous fit-out and the selection of all new furniture and finishes were made with sustainability in mind. Furniture reuse for the space was very high, with much of it being sourced either from Heineken’s previous office or from the former tenants of the space, reducing waste and extending product lifecycles.

The end result

Our team to delivered the full scope of works, from design through to final fit-out, over a 20-week programme. The space was delivered to a high-standard and on budget leading to us subsequently carrying out the full design and build of their London office off the back of the project.

The final result is an office that perfectly reflects the Heineken brand, paying homage to the company’s Dutch heritage and providing their Edinburgh team a space that reflects the stature of the brand.

The space perfectly finds the balance between showcasing the Heineken brand and offering a functional space to streamline their day-to-day operations.

Een bestemmingskantoor voor gezelligheid…

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