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Hapag-Lloyd

Rotterdam (NL)

An office you’ll actually want to be

The role of the office has changed. Especially with the rise of hybrid working, employees no longer come to the office just for a desk and a screen. They come to connect with colleagues, collaborate, or simply find a place to focus and get things done. This was also the starting point for the redesigned office of Hapag-Lloyd in Rotterdam. While Hapag-Lloyd’s distinctive brand identity provided the foundation, the office was given a warmer, more versatile and more welcoming feel. The result is a work environment that reflects both the organisation and the way people work today.

How do you turn an office into a place people genuinely want to be?
The role of the office is changing. For Hapag-Lloyd, this primarily meant creating greater variety within the workspace. While high-quality individual workstations remain essential, employees also need spaces where they can easily collaborate, meet informally, or retreat for tasks that require focused concentration. The challenge was therefore not simply to furnish an office with desks and workstations. Instead, the goal was to create an environment that enables employees to choose the setting that best supports their activity at any given moment throughout the day.

From workstation to meeting place
Vepa was responsible for both the design implementation and furnishing of the workspace. The office was fitted out almost entirely with Vepa furniture, complemented by bespoke solutions where the space called for it. Individual workstations were equipped with ParQ-desks while Rack-cabinets and KSM-store sliding door cabinets provide ample storage space. The Moi-loungecollection was used throughout a variety of seating and collaboration areas, creating inviting spaces for both informal and scheduled meetings. The coffee corners, meeting rooms and informal breakout spaces were also carefully designed to support the activities they are intended for.

A workplace for every activity
With this vision in mind, a variety of work, lounge and collaboration zones were created throughout the office. Hapag-Lloyd’s identity remains clearly recognisable, complemented by greenery, warm materials, colour and more residential touches. The result is a workspace that feels professional without resembling a traditional office environment at every turn. There are plenty of opportunities to collaborate and connect with colleagues, while also providing spaces for private conversations and focused individual work.

Furnishing an office while business continues
Designing an inspiring workplace is one thing. Bringing it to life in an office that remains fully operational is another. In fact, this was perhaps the biggest practical challenge of the project. The refurbishment was carried out floor by floor while Hapag-Lloyd continued its day-to-day operations. Each phase required space to be cleared, the new interior to be installed, and the floor to be made available to employees again as quickly as possible. This called for close coordination, careful planning and, at times, a degree of flexibility. By taking a phased approach, disruption was kept to a minimum and business activities could continue largely uninterrupted throughout the process.

An office that brings people together again
The result is a workplace that offers different spaces for different moments throughout the working day. From individual workstations and meeting rooms to informal areas where colleagues can connect and spend time together. And perhaps that is the most important measure of success: creating an environment that the people who use it every day genuinely enjoy and actively choose to work in.

“We are very pleased with the final result of our refurbished office in Rotterdam. Vepa’s furniture plays an important role in creating the modern, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere of our workplace. More importantly, our employees are highly enthusiastic about the new interior and enjoy using it every day.”

Servi van Praet
Director Business Administration | Hapag-Lloyd

A project like this is a team effort
Client: Hapag-Lloyd
Interior Designer: Monique Joore
Partner: SKB kantoortotaal, Sonja Blagus
Interior Design and Realisation: Vepa

Ready to create a workplace people want to be?
A workplace should reflect both the organisation and the people who work there. From individual workstations to spaces designed for connection and collaboration, we’re happy to help create an interior that truly works for your people and your business.

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