Irini Papalou rethinks an office break room for Colgate-Palmolive staff, bringing thoughtful design to moments of pause

On the top floor of Colgate-Palmolive’s Piraeus complex, architect Irini Papalou has transformed a once-neglected 55-square-metre space into a bright, multipurpose break room that enhances daily work life. Previously just a corridor and sporadically used office, the area now pulses with new energy, offering staff a place to decompress, collaborate, or even plug in and work away from the formality of their desks. With a hybrid layout that includes a shared kitchen, a café-style bar, and an amphitheatre-style seating area, the space is designed to host everything from casual chats to ad hoc meetings. Completed in the wake of the pandemic, when remote work reshaped our relationship with space and time, the design embraces that shift by offering variety and informality—inviting employees to settle in however they like, for however long they need. The materials and forms are simple yet deliberate: wood brings warmth to the floors and bespoke carpentry; soft furnishings and accessories in earthy tones add texture without fuss. A palette of white and deep blue—used across the floor, shelving, and acoustic wall panels—strikes a balance between calm and clarity, while light blue tiles bring a cheerful note to the kitchen and bar. Rather than erase the building’s character, the intervention celebrates it: the red industrial staircase and the original blue window frames are thoughtfully woven into the scheme. Minimal and inviting, the result is a space that feels both fresh and familiar—a quiet cornerstone of daily life that supports the needs of a contemporary workplace.