The Root Of The Matter

An olive tree takes centre stage in Emirates National Investment Office’s minimalist industrial workspace, designed by Swiss Bureau Interior Design

There has been a tectonic shift in how we view and use workspaces over the past decade. Companies are rethinking their approach towards office design and its influence on productivity and employee well-being. This is well illustrated in the case of Emirates National Investment Office (ENI), a real estatebased investment company. Inspired by architectural volumes, the design references industrial rawness. An olive tree planted in the centre of the office is a conversation starter, which makes the space more emotive.

“We decided to place the olive tree as a central feature; it’s the first thing you see and is visible from all angles,” says Joakim de Rahm, principal designer and founder of Swiss Bureau Interior Design. He points out that people are craving for a direct connection with nature now more than ever before. The olive tree acts as a connection point, where the firm’s staff can gather and use as a lounging space. “It also represents knowledge, strength and unity, while also being a feature inspired by the ENI logo,” he explains. Apart from the fact that transporting the olive tree presented a logistical challenge for the team, it has now become the feature which best reflects the company’s ethos.