Bloomberg
Rhythms of Transparency
We were commissioned to redesign two floors of Bloomberg’s headquarters in the Central district of Hong Kong, to create a fluid relationship between everyday workspaces and large-scale event settings. One floor was conceived as a flexible auditorium and pre-function venue, while the other serves as an open-plan workplace with a focus on collaboration, transparency, and wellbeing.
The design aligns closely with Bloomberg’s global office principles: fostering professional environments that are elegant, transparent, flexible, and people-focused. In addition to leading the design, Bean Buro provided LEED consultancy — achieving LEED Gold certification for the workplace floor — as well as RSE + AP services for structural works involving a new staircase, and specialist acoustic consultancy for both floors.
“The project was an opportunity to design with intent — embedding visual softness, spatial rhythm, and professional elegance into a people-focused environment that reflects Bloomberg’s values.”
— Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui, co-founder of Bean Buro
The Narrative: Envisioning the Poetics of Data
Inspired by the structured yet fluid nature of Bloomberg’s information networks, our narrative focused on translating the poetry of data into a spatial rhythm — layered, dynamic, and coherent. The signature feature on the event floor is a sculptural coved timber ceiling that stretches across both the auditorium and pre-function area, tying them together as a unified architectural volume. This rhythmic surface embodies a sense of movement and dialogue, offering a refined backdrop for everything from keynote presentations to informal gatherings.
The Process: Enhancing with Care and Precision
Working closely with Bloomberg’s team of consultants, we treated the project as an exercise in elegant intervention. Each design element was considered in relation to the existing fit-out, ensuring seamless integration rather than replacement. A key gesture was the introduction of a new timber-clad staircase, designed not only as a sculptural feature but also to enhance vertical connectivity with Bloomberg’s other floors in the tower. On the event floor, the coved ceiling required detailed coordination to achieve the desired curvature while housing integrated lighting, AV, and acoustic elements.
The Solution: Adaptable Spaces for a Dynamic Workplace
Flexibility was central to the project. On the event floor, the auditorium is defined by operable partitions that open up into the adjacent pre-function area, transforming the space into a larger venue for panel discussions, public events, or town halls. When closed, the auditorium becomes a focused setting for meetings or presentations.
Every furnishing element is fully mobile and reconfigurable, supporting layouts such as theatre-style seating, U-shaped boardroom formats, and breakout discussions. In the pre-function area, window-side benches can be repositioned towards the centre to increase seating capacity during larger events. This modular approach allows Bloomberg’s teams to continually tailor the space to suit evolving needs.
The auditorium is equipped with a state-of-the-art AV system, including a large digital wall for interactive presentations. All technology is discretely integrated into the timber coves, maintaining visual clarity while supporting high-performance functionality.
The Materials: Expressive Warmth with Professional Clarity
The material palette reflects a balance between softness and structure. Warm timber defines the key architectural features — the staircase, ceiling, and joinery — offering a sense of calm continuity across both floors. The sculptural ceiling serves not only as a spatial link between zones but also as a design statement in its own right. Grey tones, muted upholstery, and natural textures contribute to an atmosphere that is quietly refined and unmistakably Bloomberg.
Lighting, Acoustics, and Well-being
Lighting and acoustic strategies were fully integrated into the design from the outset. The ceiling’s scene-controlled lighting allows the ambience to shift according to event type — from bright and focused to soft and ambient. Specialist acoustic treatments ensure clarity of sound across event spaces and within collaborative zones.
On the workplace floor, the planning prioritises transparency and shared experience. There are no private offices. Instead, an open-plan layout is punctuated by multiple breakout areas, each offering a balance of privacy and accessibility. These informal zones support team collaboration and are all equipped with integrated video conferencing facilities, enabling seamless communication both locally and globally.
“We wanted the design to feel open, layered, and intelligent — a spatial translation of Bloomberg’s culture, where flexibility, clarity and connectivity are at the core.”
— Lorène Faure, co-founder of Bean Buro
A dedicated well-being room offers quiet retreat when needed, while expansive windows bring in natural daylight and connect users to the surrounding city and harbour views — reinforcing a sense of wellness and mental clarity
Client: Bloomberg
Location: Hong Kong
