Marubeni Corporation

Marubeni Corporation serves as the Middle East hub for the Japanese trading giant, supporting energy, infrastructure, and industrial projects across the region. It drives initiatives such as waste-to-energy and sustainable aviation fuel, while managing trade in machinery, steel, and oil products. The team focuses on business development, government liaison, and project execution, connecting UAE opportunities with Marubeni’s global network.


A Fresh Start After Thirteen Years

Every office carries the imprint of the people who work there, and this one held years of collaboration and achievement. After thirteen years of growth and success, the client was ready to give their workplace a new life. They envisioned a brighter, lighter environment that reflected how their teams work today while embracing the company’s evolution and future direction.


Ideas That Took Shape Through Conversation

The transformation began with conversations. We held workshops with the client, walking them through sketches, listening to aspirations and carefully refining until the vision became clear. The VIP lounge and boardroom needed their own space away from the main workstations and acoustics had to be prioritized.

Iteration after iteration, the layout began to breathe. Walls shifted, circulation improved and light began to find pathways into the heart of the plan. Once the layout was defined, the design concept followed with equal care. We leaned towards warmth, drawing on soft tones and lighter wood finishes. The aim was to ensure that daylight did not stop at the window but travelled through the office, brightening every corner and lifting the mood of the people inside.


Calmness Meets Function Through Japandi Influence

When it came to inspiration, we looked far beyond the walls in front of us. Japandi interiors offered a language of calm that suited the client’s brief perfectly. The elegance of Japanese minimalism with its restrained lines and balance blended beautifully with the warmth and utility of Scandinavian design.
Our materials carried this idea forward. Tatami-inspired textures and timber flooring hinted at Japanese tradition, while soft wall textures and light finishes introduced a gentle Scandinavian comfort. Acoustic panels and partitions were chosen not only for performance but to disappear gracefully into the design, keeping the space visually calm and balanced.


A Journey Marked by Smooth Progress

Every project has its hurdles but this one unfolded with remarkable clarity. Approvals came with little resistance and revisions were so few they barely left a mark. The client believed in the vision, building management supported the process and the design team moved forward with steady confidence.

Phasing became the key to success. The office had to remain alive while its skin was being renewed. One side would be demolished and rebuilt while the other continued to host the client’s operations. Once complete, the team shifted across and the second half was given the same treatment. This flow allowed transformation without disruption, ensuring that the project felt more like a journey than a pause.


Details That Shape Experience

In the end, it is the details that define the experience of a space. Kaprel glass was chosen for its precision, shaping partitions that felt invisible yet strong. PET acoustic panels created pockets of privacy without sacrificing openness. Spencer Joinery crafted bespoke pieces that brought warmth and craftmanship while Spencer Furniture Solutions provided loose furniture that tied everything together with comfort and style.

Every element served more than its practical purpose. Each one contributed to a workplace that felt serene yet vibrant, minimal yet welcoming, functional yet deeply human.


A Lighter Future for Work

When the work was complete and the last piece of furniture found its place, the office revealed a new identity. The once heavy and dated atmosphere became light, calm and purposeful. Employees stepped into a workplace that felt renewed and prepared for the future. Open areas now encouraged conversation, while private rooms offered focus behind well-insulated walls.

The client expressed gratitude not only for the finished product but for the way the journey had been handled. They described our team as having a can do attitude, praising the timeliness of delivery and the seamless way the project respected their operations.