Case: Henkel - Framery

Managing a corporate real estate portfolio for 40,000+ employees requires a vision to balance high-energy collaboration with the absolute necessity of focus. For Henkel, this meant moving away from rigid office infrastructure toward a flexible ecosystem where workplace privacy is the primary engine of design in their offices across 75 countries.

By treating privacy as a strategic tool for employee welfare, Henkel has deployed a massive fleet of nearly 300 smart pods to ensure privacy on demand is available across its entire portfolio. This strategy enables their Activity-Based Working model to function at scale, supporting a global workforce in offices from Shanghai to Brussels and Basel to Dubai.

“Framery smart pods are a natural fit for our global design strategy. They provide the infrastructure to ensure our employees succeed in an activity-based working environment.”
Cristiano Amato
Corporate Real Estate Manager | Henkel

A person walks into a glass-walled meeting pod in a modern office interior.

Open office area with tall wooden numbered lockers in the background and a mint-green privacy cubicle around a desk with a computer, with large plant leaves in the foreground. — Framery smart pods at Henkel’s Basel office.

A businesswoman in a blazer opens the door of a Framery One smart pod in a modern office hallway, with wooden lockers along the right and coworkers at desks in the background.

Providing support through workplace privacy

To support modern work, the environment must provide dedicated areas for focus that coexist with open collaborative zones. Henkel’s design strategy ensures employees have access to privacy whenever needed, the autonomy to choose how and where they work, and a comfortable, psychologically safe environment.

“Integrating Framery smart pods alongside our open-plan zones gives people more autonomy over where and how they work. We’ve seen a clear, positive impact on both deep focus and team collaboration.”
Cristiano Amato
Corporate Real Estate Manager | Henkel

By integrating Framery smart pods into the core of their design, Henkel ensures the office remains a viable destination that accommodates the full spectrum of modern work.

Access to privacy throughout the workplace

Reliable access to soundproof spaces is essential for successful hybrid collaboration. By placing Framery smart pods within reach for private calls and small team meetings, Henkel eliminates noise disruptions, ensuring the office remains a productive destination even during peak call times.

Empowering employees through choice

Henkel’s strategy is built on the need to balance high-energy teamwork with quiet, individual focus. Utilizing a diverse fleet of Framery pods gives employees the autonomy to choose the environment that fits their specific task at any given moment, rather than being tethered to a single desk.

Comfort and psychological safety

Privacy provides the psychological safety required for sensitive discussions and confidential work. Framery’s A-Class soundproofing and ergonomic furniture create comfortable sanctuaries that reduce the stress caused by open-office distractions.

A modern office hallway with glass partition walls and a person walking in the background.

Modern office lounge featuring glass double doors, a wooden slat divider with gray seating on the left, and a green accent wall with the phrase “WE DEVELOP PEOPLE WITH PURPOSE” and red stools on the right. — Framery smart pods at Henkel’s office in Brussels.

Flexible solutions for workplace privacy

Henkel utilizes a strategic mix of pod sizes to ensure every office is equipped for the specific demands of modern work, deploying nearly 300 Framery smart pods across its global portfolio. These pods serve as a flexible anchor for the office floor plan, facilitating open interaction without sacrificing the quiet required for deep work.

“We use Framery smart pods to cover different needs and give our teams the right level of privacy for any task, from private calls to small group meetings.”
Cristiano Amato
Corporate Real Estate Manager | Henkel

By distributing a diverse “pod neighborhood,” Henkel supports its employees by giving them the autonomy to choose the right level of privacy for any task. This approach ensures the right type of space is always accessible, providing the required support for teamwork and collaboration, as well as individual space for focus and calls.

Individual focus spaces

The typical Henkel office features a high volume of Framery One and Framery One Compact smart pods for heads-down work. These one-person pods allow employees to remain productive without being disrupted by, or contributing to, surrounding office noise.

Small group sessions

Henkel utilizes Framery Four to support hybrid teamwork and encourage ad-hoc conversations in strategic zones. With a face-to-face layout, these soundproof meeting pods facilitate interpersonal connection while ensuring that discussions remain confidential and contained.

Large team collaboration

For larger groups and creative sessions, Henkel incorporates Framery Six pods to serve as versatile meeting rooms. These spaces support in-person ideation and hybrid brainstorming while offering the acoustic isolation necessary for active collaboration.

Framery One compact pods at Henkel’s office in Bucharest.

Democratizing workplace privacy for a global workforce

Henkel has created a workplace that is both resilient and responsive to its employees’ needs. The integration of these smart spaces ensures that as the nature of work continues to evolve, the office remains a functional, supportive environment where people can perform at their best.

“The Framery smart pods complete the ecosystem of our office. Our employees appreciate having a quiet solution within reach.”
Cristiano Amato
Corporate Real Estate Manager | Henkel

By making Framery smart pods a standard feature in their offices worldwide, Henkel provides a consistent experience for its employees worldwide. Whether in Australia, Switzerland, or South Korea, this commitment ensures every team member has access to workplace privacy, the autonomy to choose how they work, and the necessary support to thrive in a modern office environment.