Snøhetta reinvents office space for Good Finance, one of Asia’s leading finance consulting firm

Snøhetta’s design for Good Finance’s Taichung office branch articulates the firm’s ambition to redefine the culture of finance into one that is open, inclusive, and nurturing.

As the winning entry in a 2022 invited competition, the project called for a radical departure from the conventional finance consultant's office, envisioning a spatial experience that prioritizes dialogue and collaboration. Within its 800sqm footprint, the design orchestrates a balance between transparency and discretion, fostering the uninhibited exchange of ideas while upholding the rigor and professionalism intrinsic to the financial sector.

Upon entering the office, visitors are guided through a deliberate entry procession-a long, linear corridor that culminates in the centerpiece of the design: a central forum for learning, sharing, and social interaction. Conceived as the heart of the workplace, this multi-functional forum anchors a radical plan that organizes the flexible office around it, evoking the vibrancy and openness of an urban square or city park.

Washed with ample natural light and enriched with integrated landscape, the forum offers ​ an inviting space for both individuals and groups to engage with the space and with one another. Custom-designed wooden seating elements are thoughtfully arranged to encourage informal gatherings and breakout discussions, transforming the forum into a dynamic social catalyst. Conversations and interactions here activate the core of the floor plate, rippling throughout the office. Elevating its role beyond everyday use, the forum has become a venue for diverse events – ranging from finance conferences, guest lectures, and a documentary screening - underscoring its adaptability and cultural significance within the workplace.

As the nucleus of the workspace, a space where aspirations converge with possibilities, the forum invites people to linger and immerse themselves in the library. In the first ring encircling this open public space is an informal working and seating zone enriched by custom bookshelves. Workstations are arranged in a semi-circular configuration that generates active edges and cross-traffic. With views into the forum and out toward the city, the workstations frame a fluid circular walkway, fostering chance encounters throughout the day.

The second ring introduces a bar and cafeteria, creating a social hub where colleagues and clients mingle. Flanking the bar are semi-private meeting areas conceived as lounges rather than boardrooms-furnished with couches and armchairs to relaxed conversations. Glass-enclosed private meeting rooms for confidential conversations are located in the four corners along the perimeter, ensuring discretion without sacrificing daylight.

A refined material palette of wood, glass, and metal lends the space a timeless elegance. Warm timber defines the central forum, while custom metalwork with reflective finishes amplifies the presence of wood and introduces a contemporary edge. Sleekmetal elements – such as the reception desk, bar counter, and bookshelves – act as transitional pieces between the forum and workstations. Soft, colorful furnishings demarcate zones for group discussions within the forum. The fluted glass partitions lining the meeting rooms diffuse daylight and city views to permeate through the space, all the way into the forum that is designed to serve one, many, or all. Sustainable Bolon flooring features across all spaces, adding depth and warmth.

Working in close alignment with Good Finance’s forward-thinking vision to nurture and realize their clients’ ambitions, Snøhetta has redefined the finance office typology for the 21st century – transforming it into a vibrant, human-centered environment.

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Good Finance Taichung Downtown Branch

Location: Taichung

Client: Good Finance

Size: 800sqm

Year: 2022-2025

Typology: Workplace

Scope: Interior Architecture

Photos: Studio Millspace