Case study Green Caffè Nero | A Café Atmosphere in the Office
The new Green Caffè Nero headquarters is a space created to bring people together. It is a place where everyday work blends with an almost homely atmosphere, infused with the warmth familiar from the brand’s cafés. The interior was designed to support focus, while also encouraging conversation and the exchange of ideas. This is an office that not only supports operational processes, but also inspires and builds relationships. Here is the behind‑the‑scenes story of the new work environment for Green Caffè Nero.
Relocation was a natural step resulting from the company’s dynamic growth. The team needed a larger space that better aligned with a way of working, which is based on closeness and everyday interactions. The new office was intended to support collaboration and naturally reflect the brand’s values, providing an open environment conducive to building relationships.
The project involved delivering a 960 square metre office, and the entire process — from the initial analysis to the team moving into the new headquarters — took approximately 18 months.
Project objectives:
- Providing space adequate to the scale and pace of the brand’s growth.
- Reflecting the character and atmosphere of the café in an office environment.
- Designing a space that supports teamwork.
The beginning of the story
Green Caffè Nero is one of the most recognisable café chains in Poland. It is a well-established brand operating in several of the country’s largest cities, and it is continuously expanding its scale of operations. However, as the café network grew and the team expanded, the existing office could no longer meet the organisation’s needs.
The company needed a larger, more comfortable space that would be better suited to collaborative working.
Colliers Define consultants developed a workplace strategy by conducting an in‑depth analysis of the company’s needs. At the same time, Colliers office leasing experts led the process of selecting a new headquarters, identifying Saski Crescent as a location that perfectly combines prestige, functionality and a boutique character. The modernised building, its location adjacent to the Saski Garden and the hotel‑style lobby created an ideal backdrop for a café‑inspired workspace. In the subsequent design phase, Colliers Define specialists were responsible for the architectural design and the fit‑out delivery of the new office.
Process
The first step in creating the new headquarters was a detailed identification of employees’ needs. Our workplace strategy consultants carried out this process by analysing work patterns and employee expectations. Representatives from various departments participated in interviews and workshops.
The analysis enabled the key features and parameters of the new work environment to be defined. Colliers Define consultants determined the optimal office size and team adjacency structure, as well as the number and size of spaces for individual work and meetings. The outcome was an interior design concept for the Green Caffè Nero office, developed jointly with company representatives and reflecting the company’s objectives and operating procedures.
Managers and team members were both involved in defining the parameters of an optimal work environment for Green Caffè Nero. The result of this collaborative effort is a space that reflects the company culture, addresses all key needs and provides the conditions necessary for effective work
An office inspired by a café
In close collaboration with the Green Caffè Nero team, Colliers Define’s architects developed a design that caters to the varied needs of employees while preserving the unique atmosphere that has characterised the brand’s cafés for years.
From the moment they enter, guests are welcomed by an atmospheric space with mood lighting, soft armchairs and a café-style counter. Subtle references to the world of coffee can be found throughout the office, from the names of the meeting rooms to the details that reinforce the brand’s identity.
The heart of the office is the kitchen, equipped with a professional coffee machine and enabling the testing of new beverages and snacks that may later be introduced into the café menu. A long communal table has become a place for meetings, socialising over board games, and working in a relaxed atmosphere — just like in a real café. The familiar Green Caffè Nero ambience has been recreated with decorative lighting, a brick wall and rustic details such as reclaimed wooden panelling.
It is worth emphasising that the Green Caffè Nero team played an active role in the design process. This approach facilitated the identification of the client’s needs and helped to highlight the uniqueness of the space. Thanks to this collaboration, an office has been created that fulfils operational functions and strengthens organisational culture and brand identity.
The delivery of the Green Caffè Nero office was a demanding yet highly rewarding project for our team. One of the major challenges was adapting solutions familiar from the cafés to an office environment. This required close coordination with suppliers and working to an intensive schedule. Thanks to strong cooperation with the Tenant’s team and the commitment of all parties involved, we succeeded in creating a space that fully reflects the character of the brand while meeting high technical and functional standards.
New reality
In close collaboration with the client’s team, Colliers Define’s architects created an office that reflects the rhythm of the organisation and evokes the atmosphere of cafés. The result is a space that reflects the company’s culture and aligns with the team’s way of working.
We have created a space that truly reflects our approach to work. It is a place where it is possible to focus and work effectively, but also to meet over coffee, exchange ideas, and simply feel good. I am proud that we have managed to combine comfortable working conditions with an inspiring atmosphere that brings our employees closer together.
Colliers Define project team:
People & Places Advisory: Grzegorz Rajca, Olga Witkowska
Architecture & Planning: Zuzanna Jaszczuk, Magdalena Kubicka
Design & Build: Aleksander Bielecki, Zuzanna Woźnicka, Jakub Banaszek
IT/AV Solutions: Tomasz Szulejewski