Mayora Head Office Canteen by Lex and Architects: An Oasis-Inspired Workspace Retreat in Jakarta

Located in the heart of Jakarta, Indonesia, the Mayora Head Office Canteen, designed by Lex and Architects, redefines the modern office dining experience. Completed in 2023 and spanning a generous 4,000 square meters, this architectural project blends organic design, landscape integration, and workplace well-being to create a unique staff retreat that serves both functional and experiential purposes.

A Nature-Inspired Dining Oasis for Over 1,000 Employees

Commissioned to serve as a cafeteria and social space for Mayora's head office, the building was designed to accommodate more than 800 employees and corporate executives in two distinct yet harmonized spaces. The brief emphasized the need for a structure that not only supports daily dining but also fosters relaxation, rejuvenation, and community connection within the workplace.

Lex and Architects approached the design with a vision of an oasis-like atmosphere, creating a refuge where staff can take meaningful breaks surrounded by nature-inspired architecture. Set within a vast garden landscape, the building's organic curves mirror the form of the adjacent Mayora Head Office, ensuring aesthetic cohesion while encouraging a seamless indoor-outdoor spatial relationship.

Dual-Wing Design: Staff and Executive Zones

The canteen is divided into two main wings: a larger staff canteen and a smaller executive dining area. These are joined by a central open-air plaza with a reflecting pool and vertical landscaping that rises to meet a large skylight, filtering natural light through tall trees planted inside the courtyard. This creates a serene atmosphere reminiscent of a tropical conservatory.

Staff Canteen: A Grand, Circular Gathering Space

The staff dining hall is an architectural highlight with an almost circular floor plan spanning 40 meters in diameter. This radial configuration was designed to facilitate communal dining and large-scale office events, accommodating up to 1,000 people simultaneously. At the heart of the space is a central stage for presentations and gatherings, visible from all seating zones.

The canteen features a double-height ceiling with a mezzanine level that offers additional seating. A vast skylight and curtain of window walls flood the space with daylight, creating an airy, uplifting environment. To further enhance the biophilic ambiance, the interior incorporates artificial trees, hanging gardens, and green installations from the floor to the ceiling, reinforcing the project's connection to nature.

Executive Canteen: A Sophisticated, Private Experience

In contrast to the expansive and casual atmosphere of the staff zone, the executive canteen offers a more refined and intimate dining experience. The design utilizes premium materials including marble surfaces, porcelain slabs, artistic wallpaper, and synthetic weavings to elevate the space. This wing includes three private dining rooms, each accommodating 12 people. Two of the rooms can be combined to form a larger, formal meeting and dining hall, reflecting corporate flexibility and hospitality.

Structural Innovation and Material Palette

To support the building's sweeping curves and expansive interiors, a steel structural system was employed. Lightweight steel roofing, designed with a curvature reminiscent of a turtle shell, allows for seamless transitions and column-free interiors. These roofs are finished with aluminum composite panels, enhancing both aesthetics and durability.

The building’s terracotta-clad brick facade ties together the two wings and blends with the earthy tones of the surrounding garden. Window walls, formed from segmented straight panes, wrap the perimeter in an undulating rhythm, allowing parts to be opened for ventilation or direct access to the outdoor environment.

Sustainability and Human-Centered Design

The Mayora Head Office Canteen is more than just a functional workplace amenity—it is a statement in human-centered architecture. With its strong focus on natural light, greenery, flexible programming, and organic forms, the project offers a healthier, more enjoyable space for employees and executives alike.

By reimagining the traditional corporate cafeteria as a vibrant, sensory-rich environment, Lex and Architects have created a blueprint for future-ready office infrastructure that prioritizes employee well-being, spatial flexibility, and sustainable design.

All Photographs are works of Arti Pictures