CBRE, the world’s leading real estate services and investment consulting firm, had its Lisbon headquarters office designed by its own in-house project management team. The project covers 1,300 square meters and is located in the Ansole Building in Lisbon — the existing 8th floor was renovated while the 5th floor was newly added as the operations headquarters.

This old building renovation project is a typical practice in real estate industry space design that integrates historical heritage with modern office needs. The meticulous consideration in office furniture planning further strengthens the space’s practical value and aesthetic expression. Within the framework of the old building renovation, the team made full use of the existing structural advantages to create a richly layered spatial sequence, maximizing the renovation value of real estate industry space design.

“This new office is designed entirely for the employees.”

The design team carried this concept through from beginning to end. The core objective was clear: to create a hybrid workspace that fosters innovative collaboration while conveying the warmth of the corporate culture.

The name “Headquarters Base” itself carries meaning — this is not merely a workplace, but a social venue where the team gathers and inspiration collides.

Breaking away from the single layout of traditional cubicles, the design introduces flexible and diverse office forms. Employees can freely choose a focus zone, collaboration zone or social zone according to task requirements. This scenario-based office environment design thinking makes the space truly serve the work itself.

Linear elements run through the entire circulation route, linking different functional zones. Elegant blue tones serve as the brand identity color, forming a visual focus within the space that is modern yet grounded.

Every area has been carefully refined. Office furniture planning fully considers ergonomics and the diversity of usage scenarios, allowing comfort and efficiency to go hand in hand. Excellent office environment design should make people within it unaware of any design “deliberateness”, yet naturally blend into an efficient work rhythm.

The essence of office environment design is understanding the relationship between people and space.

Throughout the planning process, the design team kept asking: what kind of scenarios can spark creativity? What kind of atmosphere can make teams gather naturally? What kind of details can make employees feel a sense of belonging?

The answer comes down to one word: flexibility.

This flexibility is reflected in the variability of the physical layout, the switchability of functional areas, and the relaxed yet measured rhythm of the space. It is not simply “open plan”, but a precisely calculated combination of scenarios.

From the perspective of office environment design, this is precisely the core shift in contemporary space planning — from “management efficiency” to “supporting people”. Excellent real estate industry space design should, while meeting functional needs, create emotional experiences that exceed expectations.

The practice at CBRE’s Lisbon headquarters reveals a trend: real estate industry space design is shifting from “showcasing corporate strength” to “empowering employee growth”.

When the office environment truly serves people’s needs, innovative collaboration becomes something that happens naturally. The value of real estate industry space design lies precisely in creating such possibilities — enabling every employee to find their own optimal working state. This may well be the most thought-provoking topic in contemporary office environment design.

Project Location: Ansole Building, Lisbon, Portugal

Project Area: 1,300 square meters

Design: CBRE Project Management Team