Progetto CMR Group, through its subsidiaries Progetto CMR, specialized in integrated design and a 30-year leader in office space planning in Italy, and Progetto Design & Build, a leader in workspace construction, has designed and built the new headquarters for IMCD Italia, a subsidiary of the Dutch IMCD Group, a global leader in the sales, marketing, and distribution of specialty chemicals and ingredients. The design is guided by IMCD Italia’s comprehensive sustainability vision: from adherence to the strictest environmental standards to enhancing the psycho-physical well-being of the people who work in the space.

The project covers an area of approximately 4,000 sqm spread over three floors and a terrace, set within the iconic building designed by Dante Benini at Via Borsi 9 in Milan, which was selected for its top-tier sustainability certifications (BREEAM Excellent). The design concept, created by Progetto CMR and developed with Progetto Design & Build, is inspired by Progetto CMR Group’s vision: transforming working spaces into living places.

Progetto CMR has developed a layout designed to facilitate new ways of working and informal collaboration among people at the IMCD Italia headquarters, with the goal of obtaining the Well Platinum certification, focused on the quality of indoor spaces to improve the health and well-being of occupants. The design effort resulted in multifunctional spaces tailored to the needs of the company, with natural light and thermal comfort as key requirements. The break area includes modular solutions for varying needs, while greenery is incorporated both inside – with entire walls covered in natural vegetation – and outside on the spacious terraces, which also feature exercise equipment. Acoustic enhancements have also been considered.

The office spaces for IMCD Italia begin on the second floor, which includes two laboratories with transparent glass walls to showcase the advanced machinery and research processes inside, as well as a showroom area dedicated to the company’s main business lines: Food & Nutrition and Beauty & Personal Care.

The “Bistrot” area is designed to be a convivial space, featuring a layout of furniture and materials that evoke a sense of casual interaction, with tables, seating, an exhibition wall displaying references, and a bar where visitors can sample specialties prepared in the lab. The “Beauty Studio,” designed as a make-up station, is equipped for product demonstrations, testing, and creative brainstorming sessions, both internally and with external partners, to share future innovation plans. The second floor also includes office spaces, meeting rooms, and an open-plan area.

On the third floor, in addition to open workspaces, an Experience Area has been created, where external guests can engage with the IMCD world through a highly digitalized space for immersive audiovisual presentations, and a large meeting room that can accommodate up to 16 people. The space also features colorful phone booths representing IMCD’s business units, modular meeting rooms for flexibility, and a multifunctional area with a coffee space and lactation room.

On the fourth floor, a lounge area opens up with distinctive elements that enhance the original staircase design by Benini, leading to the rooftop terrace on the fifth floor. In addition to executive areas, this floor also includes a brainstorming and recreation area – enriched with a freely accessible library – for creative moments and enrichment, and a break area separated by one-on-one conversation spaces. All of these areas are designed with IMCD’s well-being philosophy in mind, fostering a holistic approach to socialization, encouraging not just work together but also spending quality time together.

Photo credits: Leo Torri