Nutella, Kinder, Raffaello, Tic Tac and Ferrero Rocher, the iconic treats loved worldwide all belong to one Italian manufacturer: Ferrero. Started from a tiny family business, it is today one of the main international groups in the chocolate confectionery market. For its regional trading office in Dubai, the brand needed a full fit-out that reflects its identity. This is why it entrusted this mission to I-ONE Interiors.

A Modern Fairy tale

In 1942, Pietro Ferrero began to fulfill his dream of selling high quality chocolate, accessible to all, by opening his workshop in Alba, a small town in northern Italy. Four years later, the workshop became a factory. With the success of the company in Italy, Ferrero began producing abroad with the inauguration of a large German factory in 1956, shortly followed by the opening of another one in France. This was the start of a rapid expansion in Europe which, in the following decades, became global. The Ferrero family thus became the first Italian manufacturer after World War II to open production sites and offices abroad in the confectionery sector, turning the company into the truly international group it still is today.

A Regional Trading Office in Dubai

For the full fit-out of its regional trading office in Dubai’s Business Bay (20,000 sq. ft.), Ferrero chose I-ONE, an interior design company of the Al Mazroui Group. Founded in 2018, the company emerged from the well-established factory Mazcot Carpentry & Décor. Originally scheduled as a 110-day work, the project was actually delivered in 80 days: one month in advance.

The idea was to create an office that reflects the brand’s identity.  With neat, sleek and simple designs, I-ONE opted for a neo-classic and modern aesthetic with an Italian accent. Material and high-end furniture were also imported from Italy.

From the colourful reception, one instantly penetrates the scrumptious realm of chocolate. References to the world-famous products of the brand can be found everywhere. Walking around the Business Bay office, you would easily spot Kinder eggs, boxes of Tic Tac and mouth-watering jars of Nutella. Posters and big stickers can also be seen here and there. For example, one meeting room displays a huge Kinder puzzle as a tribute to the children’s favourite treats.

An Ecological Touch

For this project, I-ONE used new material that are energy efficient and environment-friendly such as LED lights, adapted ventilation systems and Flotex flooring. Flotex is a unique textile floor covering which combines the hard and durable characteristics of a resilient floor with the quality and comfort of a carpet. Forbo, the company producing Flotex, is committed to reduce, reuse, recycle and renew. For instance, the flooring is produced in factories powered by 100% renewable electricity. Recycled Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) products were also used. MDF is an engineered wood panel product composed of refined virgin wood fibres, mixed with resin and wax and pressed into flat sheets.

Thanks to several large windows and glass elements, Ferrero’s office in Dubai is bright and sunny. I-ONE has respected its client’s wish: to have as much natural light as possible for the benefit of its employees. They also can enjoy large open spaces, with partitions to preserve privacy, as well as spacious break rooms where they can relax, read and of course, eat chocolate.