Barry Callebaut

Headquarters for Barry Callebaut

Swiss architecture studio Evolution Design has designed the new Zurich-based headquarters of Barry Callebaut, the global manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products. Along with interiors that activate senses through a myriad of textures, materials and colors, the new head office also incorporates a chocolate academy and three large employee hubs that are linked with internal staircases. The offices feature oxygen generating plants and comply with Swiss sustainability standards.

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Download Press Kit № 135272 Headquarters for Barry Callebaut by Evolution Design to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.

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Barry Callebaut by Evolution Design

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Headquarters by Evolution Design

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Evolution Design Barry Callebaut

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Evolution Design Headquarters

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Barry CallebautBrand Logo

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Barry Callebaut Headquarters Press Releases

Press releases tailored for Barry Callebaut are available in the languages: English.

Barry Callebaut Headquarters Media Articles

Ready for your features: articles on Barry Callebaut in various languages, including Korean, Japanese, Russian, German, French, Portuguese, Chinese (Mandarin), English, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic (Standard), Dutch, Hindi, Indonesian and Italian.

Unique Properties

The office has its own integrated chocolate academy. This is where innovation and inspiration take place behind glazed walls, enabling staff and visitors to watch the chocolatiers creating new products. This professionally equipped kitchen is located in the centre of the office so that it is the first area both employees and visitors see on arrival. The sleek academy kitchen is set against earthy floor finish and organically shaped pendant lights in the reception, that add warmth to the design.

Tags

Barry Callebaut, headquarters, Zurich, chocolate academy, sustainability, workplace design, Evolution Design

Production Technology

In alignment with the sustainability strategy of Barry Callebaut, using environmentally friendly, certified, upcycled, and natural materials was another primary design consideration. Textures of wood, natural materials, like the safflower wallpaper, cork and moss, create sensory experiences in both the hubs and the workspaces. Specifically selected oxygen generating plants in combination with sensors deliver a healthy and productive work environment.

Design Challenge

Besides planning a workplace that is fit for new work and employee needs post pandemic, the second major challenge was integrating the chocolate academy in a regular office building. The requirements for the room temperatures, ventilation capacity and placing of the equipment were very strict, so the planning team had to make quite a few interventions in the plan to respond to the needs of the client.

Project Duration

The project started in April 2020 and was finished in August 2021 in Zurich.

Operation Flow

In order to encourage staff circulation between the three floors that Barry Callebaut occupies in a multi-storey building, the architects planned internal staircases that link three hubs on each floor. Each hub has its own distinctive interior design and colour palette according to the core beliefs of Barry Callebaut. Used primarily as coffee points for breaks, informal meetings and lunch, these hubs enable optimal circulation and create a sense of a journey through the various zones.

Research

The project was planned in the early stages of global pandemic that posed many difficult questions and unknowns. The architects carried out a number of in-depth workshops and surveys with the client and users, in order to find out what would be the main attraction points for employees to return to the office post pandemic. The research resulted in a workplace concept that creates an agile and attractive place to live and work and focuses on stimulating the physical collaboration and team spirit.

Inspiration

The project brief was to create a strong connection to the culture of Barry Callebaut and its confectionary products. To respond to the brief, the architects conceived a tactile design concept that reflects the variety of flavours, aromas and textures of cocoa products. Different types of wood and fabrics, natural materials and a combination of earthy colours reflect the ethos of sustainability, innovation and sensory pleasure of Barry Callebaut.

Image Credits

Image #1: Photographer Peter Wuermli, 2022. Image #2: Photographer Peter Wuermli, 2022. Image #3: Photographer Peter Wuermli, 2022. Image #4: Photographer Peter Wuermli, 2022. Image #5: Photographer Peter Wuermli, 2022.

Project Overview

Barry Callebaut Headquarters has been a Silver winner in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design award category in the year 2021 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.

Silver Recognition

Evolution Design was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2022, a testament to excellence of their work Barry Callebaut Headquarters.

Evolution Design Press Releases

Media members, dive into our press releases on Evolution Design's work, ready for you to use and enhance your journalistic content. Instantly access 17 press releases, available exclusively for journalists.

Evolution Design Unveils Sensory-Driven Headquarters for Barry Callebaut in Zurich

Evolution Design creates a tactile and sustainable workspace for Barry Callebaut, integrating a chocolate academy and promoting employee well-being in downtown Zurich.

Evolution Design Newsroom

Explore Evolution Design Newsroom to uncover award-winning design projects and more.