DFDS

Sustainability at DFDS

DFDS is a Danish international shipping and logistics company dating from 1866. When the time came to update the headquarters, sustainability lay at the heart of the project, together with a human-centric design focus. The company sought to revitalise the working culture to reflect modern preferences while futureproofing the company for growth in an environmentally responsible manner. The building's construction was designed for the DGNB System Gold Standard award – the global benchmark for sustainability, and the new design completely transformed the standard of workplace comfort and appeal for employees and prospective talent.

DFDS put sustainability at the heart of every building decision. The reasoning being that it's good for the planet, and it's inspiring for the people working at DFDS to know they are part of a positive change for the better.

An interesting initiative was DFDS's reuse of over 200 Series 7™ chairs, which are at least ten years old, from the previous headquarters. Their strength, ageless style and durability meant that reusing them made perfect practical sense while bringing a sense of continuity to the employees in their new environment.

Human-centric design

There is a palpable sense of coherence throughout the entire building. The long corridors are curved as the building itself curves, much like the company's ships that dock mere metres away. It creates a powerful connection for the office workers to see the outcome of their contributions through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Even the internal language of the building connects to their purpose: the offices' floors are referred to as "decks".

Acoustic panelling throughout the building dampens ambient noise to a pleasant level for the 400 people working there. And with space for up to 550, the office is prepared for growth. "People don't work in any one way," says Steffen Conradsen, Head of Facility Management & Global Director of Health & Safety, "people's needs are different, so we created a range of different spaces and work zones for people to find the way that best suits their preferences. In this way, whatever setting you need to be productive is catered for." In the construction of the new headquarters, DFDS created an inviting space where people are encouraged through beauty and functionality to enjoy an office they are proud of and feel productive in, no matter their individual working style.