A New Expansive Office for DHL Express in Israel

Architect and interior designer Shimrit Mishan Abramovich envisioned a vibrant office for DHL Express in Israel. Located in the Airport City industrial park, in Israel’s Central District, the original space featured a series of closed rooms along the perimeter of the building, with plenty of views and daylight. Service providers and call center operators, however, were in the center area without visual access to the outdoors.

Modern lobby with tall windows, hanging sculptures, and orange seating area. Cactus plants line the side.

Even during the pandemic, the company’s planes were still in flight and transporting cargo, which led to a 25% increase in staff – and a need for optimized spaces. The architect, who specializes in residential projects and smaller offices, was tapped to transform the workplace spanning more than 48,000 square feet over three floors, her first large-scale headquarters.

DHL office lobby with a wooden reception desk, world map on the wall, potted plants, and modern decor.

Her goal was to create a hub to support collaboration among all employees, with a sprawling metropolis as a key inspiration. “I imagined a city from a bird’s eye view, and circulation on the main road,” Abramovich says.

Modern office entrance with beige walls, world map art, and "You Belong Here" text. Large black ceiling light above open workspace with cubicles and glass meeting rooms.

Modern office hallway with red mesh partition and glass-walled meeting rooms. Ceiling lights illuminate the space.

She pictured a bustling city with the central artery connected to secondary streets, alleys, and squares, with tables and seating areas as the houses. The structure is divided into eastern and western sides, with what Abramovich calls public buildings. These elements look different from every angle, points of unexpected interest on the thoroughfare of the office.

Modern office space with frosted glass walls, open ceilings, and red mesh partition. Minimalist design with neutral flooring.

On the west side of the office, for example, there’s the Arena, a trapezoidal complex of small meeting rooms. Made of aluminum partitions and glass, this section is wrapped in a metal mesh colored a rich copper hue. Contrasting with the white ductwork, the material detaches from the ceiling or unfastens from the floor. Pairing texture and a subtle drape, the screen is reminiscent of a woman’s full skirt.

Modern office space with glass partitions, orange mesh panel, and large window. Three woven poufs sit near a pillar with abstract designs and model cars. Ceiling pipes are exposed.

Modern office nook with a red mesh curtain, glass walls, a green chair, an orange chair, a small round table, a cactus, and pendant lights.

Wall art of large gummy bears in rows of red and orange hues.

Modern office space with glass-walled meeting room, open work area, and wooden curved partitions. Ceiling features exposed pipes and lighting. Plants decorate the space.

Meanwhile on the east side, the space is relatively narrow, and the challenge was to not isolate the department while still providing a sense of intimacy. Here, Abramovich included her interpretation of the traditional Islamic mashrabiya, a type of enclosed window with carved wood latticework. These structures, formed with birch plates of varying cuts, have the appearance of undulating waves. As an employee walks around these forms, they have a unique experience as they view them at various times of day or with certain levels of illumination.

Modern office space with open ceiling, exposed pipes, wood panel accents, glass doors, and minimalistic furnishings.

Modern open-plan office with desks, computers, and potted plants. The room features exposed ceilings and large windows providing natural light.

DHL’s distinct red and yellow logo is displayed on vehicles around the globe, and while those bold tints are found dotted throughout the office, the palette features complementary tones that reference the signature branding in an understated way. The lemony shade is introduced as natural birch wood, and the crimson is now a rich terracotta. This warm range is integrated in the millwork and workstation zones.

A modern seating area with a green armchair, small orange table, and checkerboard art on the wall. Large windows provide a view of the outdoors, with plants lining the glass railing.

Cacti and other plants bring nature indoors, plus lively pops of green. Artwork adds even more color alongside playful touches, from the concrete column with the mini toy DHL trucks to the wall adorned with epoxy gummy bears. The office supports staff as they perform tasks, but it also offers much needed moments of delight.

Modern office kitchen with a wooden table, four stools, and cabinets. Features a coffee maker, microwave, refrigerator, and decorative plants. Ceiling has exposed pipes and lights.