Family office chooses a small, boutique-representative office.
Less m², higher quality per m². Discretion, functionality and 20-year fitness for purpose came first — no showroom.
The challenge
The family office occupied 1,100 m² that had grown historically. Two-thirds sat empty or was rarely used. The family wanted an office reflecting the character of the organisation — confidential, professional, timeless — but had no need for public-facing presence. Clients rarely visit; the office primarily supports the investment and legal team, with periodic family review.
Our approach
We started with a question: what space does the organisation actually need — and what space follows from convention? Analysis showed: one representative meeting suite, one board room, workstations for 18 fte with sharp acoustics, and discreet visitor circulation. Location selection was driven by accessibility for the family and discretion (no multi-tenant building). We selected a small property on a quiet Amsterdam-Zuid address. A boutique architect handled the design, but within a programme of requirements set by us — no open plan, no 'meeting zones', no concepts inconsistent with the nature of the work.
The result
The organisation now sits in 480 m² of significantly higher quality — materials, acoustics and light at investment-grade level. Total cost of occupancy is 45% lower than before. More importantly: the office enables precisely the behaviour the family wanted (focused work, discreet conversation) without the social overhead of a large open floor.
Key outcomes
Composite scenario — drawn from real engagements, not a single client.