Biophilia as a matrix for well-being

By Editorial Staff - 20 April 2026
Estel Group, HW Style have participated in the project

Within Renzo Piano Building Workshop’s Monterosa 91 Campus in Milan, and in collaboration with Coima Image, Deerns Italia – a building services company, part of an international engineering group with offices also in Rome – has created an environment that translates its own values and organizational structure into architectural form. The new headquarters, defined by flexibility, sustainability, and technological integration, accommodates
110 professionals across 700 sq. m thanks to a design that shapes the space around a workflow based on dynamism, productivity, and collaboration.

The project is based on a comprehensive design process that accounts for the company’s complexity and involved the entire staff in the transition. The resulting space effectively supports contemporary work dynamics while maintaining a clear commitment to environmental stewardship. Staff well-being is central to the project, expressed through a functional layout and cohesive interior design.

Sede Deerns Italia © Carola Merello, courtesy of Coima Image and Deerns Italia

The office layout balances operational areas with support spaces, shifting the focus away from individual desks as the sole centers of activity. Fixed and bookable workstations are interspersed with meeting rooms of various sizes, acoustic pods, brainstorming areas, and a coworking café designed to foster social interaction. Breakout areas, lounges, and private spaces alternate with support hubs – such as copy, IT, and locker rooms – creating a multifaceted yet intuitive environment. The layout fosters interaction between departments, thereby encouraging a cross-functional and dynamic workflow.

The material palette is understated and natural: recycled fiber carpeting, glass partitions, and fabrics in warm earth tones create a balanced, welcoming atmosphere. Integrated greenery, natural light, and formal restraint elevate the workspace, with biophilia a central driver of employee well-being.

Sede Deerns Italia La separazione degli ambienti non è strutturale, ma scandita attraverso una pluralità di soluzioni formali. In questo caso, il tappeto e la struttura metallica contornano un’area raccolta, con le piante che fungono da ulteriore filtro visivo. © Carola Merello, courtesy of Coima Image and Deerns Italia

Technology is a core element of the project. A sensor-based lighting system optimizes energy consumption, while electrical and mechanical systems are designed for maximum adaptability and comfort. Dedicated server room cooling, updated hydronic and ventilation networks, and integrated access control systems align with the project’s high-performance goals. LEED Platinum certification reflects a commitment to reducing environmental impact throughout the building’s life cycle.

The project envisions the office as a complex organism – a space that can adapt to evolving needs through its balance of spatial organization, technology, comfort, and sustainability.

Deerns Italia Headquarters | Workstations merge with social and breakout areas, such as the coworking café – a flexible environment that avoids rigid divisions in favor of a fluid, permeable layout. © Carola Merello, courtesy of Coima Image and Deerns Italia

Deerns Italia Headquarters | Spatial division is not structural but defined by a variety of design elements. Here, the rug and metal structure create a private area, with plantings providing an additional visual screen. © Carola Merello, courtesy of Coima Image and Deerns Italia

Deerns Italia Headquarters | HW Style integrates greenery into the workspace through a design that maintains continuity with the interior architecture and furnishings. © Carola Merello, courtesy of Coima Image and Deerns Italia

Deerns Italia Headquarters | The walls feature works by Carlo Stanga, an internationally renowned architect, illustrator, and author, best known for his urban landscapes. These panoramic views of Milan showcase the intricate level of detail typical of the artist’s style. © Carola Merello, courtesy of Coima Image and Deerns Italia

Deerns Italia Headquarters | Glass is a recurring motif, with transparent partitions providing acoustic insulation while maintaining sightlines. © Carola Merello, courtesy of Coima Image and Deerns Italia

Deerns Italia Headquarters | A palette of light, natural tones defines the offices. Accents of yellow, blue, green, and red punctuate the spaces through furnishings and decorative elements. © Carola Merello, courtesy of Coima Image and Deerns Italia

Deerns Italia Headquarters | The spatial configuration addresses the need for flexibility in contemporary work environments. Collaboration with Estel for the interior build-out was central to this, with the company supplying 70 Asterisco App workstations, P045 sharing and break tables, and More meeting tables. © Carola Merello, courtesy of Coima Image and Deerns Italia

Deerns Italia Headquarters | The workstations are varied and reconfigurable, designed to foster collaboration and adapt to evolving needs. The high-back sofa ensures privacy, creating an intimate, informal space for meetings and collaboration. © Carola Merello, courtesy of Coima Image and Deerns Italia

Deerns Italia Headquarters | © Carola Merello, courtesy of Coima Image and Deerns Italia

Location: Milan, Italy
Client: Deerns
Gross Floor Area: 700 m²
Interior Designer and Space planning: Coima Image
Lighting, MEP, Plant Equipment Design: Deerns Italia
Main Contractor: VVA
Landscape Consultant: HW Style

Photography: Carola Merello, courtesy of Coima Image and Deerns Italia

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