The Space Log: Workspace design for a public policy consultancy Vinces in Brussels
When your business is about building connections between the private and public sectors across Europe, your workspace needs to reflect that mission. For Vinces Consulting, a growing strategic consultancy in public policy with offices in Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Brussels, their workspace challenge went beyond accommodating the team expansion. Our task as an office design and build studio was to create an environment that would represent their brand to clients and provide a consistent experience for their international team.
The Challenge: Growth and brand consistency
As Alejandro Cercas Fernández, EU Affairs Manager and Head of the Brussels office at Vinces Consulting explained, the team grew out of their coworking and wanted to have a space of their own. Their expansion meant they needed a more professional office, with the corporate branding and colors to up their game in the European capital.
The team previously worked in a cramped space that limited their ability to host clients and collaborate effectively. The contrast became stark after moving into their new office: "When the team came back they said 'We cannot believe that we managed to work there, now that we have seen what it is to have space, what it is to really have more breathing area,'” Alejandro shared.
The Vision: Practical, future-oriented, and aligned to Vinces’ DNA
The international team approached their office redesign with specific goals in mind:
- Practical functionality from day one: A welcoming environment for clients and team members visiting from other branches.
- Future-proof design: A workspace that would accommodate continued growth over the next years.
- Brand consistency: The design elements maintaining the same essence as their other European offices.
For Alejandro, comfort factors like ergonomics and lighting were crucial. These elements don't just attract people to the office—they enable productivity and collaboration once the team is there. For a Spanish company operating in Belgium, this was particularly important as the team naturally gravitates toward warmth and abundant light in contrast to Brussels' typically gray environment.
Beyond the practical aspects of the redesign, Vinces Consulting discovered that their new space delivered something more profound—a sense of permanence and shared DNA. "It's this intangible feeling of belonging to something that's bigger than oneself and that will continue to be here," Alejandro reflected. "There's an identity that remains, that would be the feeling of being part of something that actually lasts."
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While the entire workspace has been transformed, the meeting room stands out as what Vinces call the office crown jewel. Its foldable door dividing or expanding the space is a rare design feature in Belgium and required creative problem-solving. According to Alejandro, the meeting room strikes the right balance—modern enough to wow visitors without crossing the lines of extravagance. The team loves it, too: even small groups of four people choose to collaborate there whenever they can.
Based on his experience, Alejandro offers this advice to other leaders considering an office transformation: "Don't be afraid to communicate what you want. The experts know better than you how to put your ideas into practice. But to communicate, you must be open, even if you can’t pinpoint exactly what is needed. They are there to help."
For Vinces Consulting, their new Brussels office has become more than just a place to work—it's a physical representation of their brand, a tool for collaboration, and a lasting expression of their company culture.
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“Space Refinery balanced creativity with client focus perfectly. Their design team had ideas I wouldn't have thought of in a million years, while still respecting our vision. Throughout the process, there was always a smile and willingness to help, which brought security for me as a client.”
