FROM YOUTUBE TO RETAIL

BEARHOUSE & SUNSU’S HEADQUARTERS, INSPIRED BY THEIR OWNER’S YOUTUBE PERSONAS, COMBINES A CAFÉ-LIKE ATMOSPHERE WITH COLLABORATIVE SPACES, FOSTERING INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY WHILE REFLECTING THE BRAND’S PLAYFUL AND AUTHENTIC IDENTITY.

Bearhouse & Sunsu started as the brainchild of YouTubers. As a nationally recognised milk tea shop in Thailand, the brand channels the bubbly energy that fans have come to expect from their owners’ vlogs. This vibrant and engaging spirit extends beyond their online presence and permeates their headquarters, where they prioritise organic social interactions with employees and foster a culture of innovation throughout the company.

Fronted by two of Thailand’s most popular YouTubers, it was essential for Bearhouse & Sunsu’s office to not only represent their brand but also elevate it. The office needed to support collaborative work and ideation while serving as a suitable filming location for their videos. This dual requirement meant that the space had to be both aesthetically pleasing and functionally sound.

To create an environment that embodies the Bearhouse & Sunsu brand, the office lobby was designed to resemble a café, bringing the shop’s experience directly into the workplace. This design choice allows employees to immerse themselves in the customer experience, fostering a deeper understanding and connection to their work. The lobby features earthy tones with colourful accents, reflecting the playfulness of their largely Gen Z workforce and setting the office apart from traditional corporate environments.

The design team focused on creating spaces that promote collaboration and creativity. Open work areas, cosy lounges, and communal tables encourage spontaneous interactions and idea-sharing among employees. The office layout facilitates fluid movement and communication, breaking down barriers between different departments and fostering a sense of unity and teamwork.

One of the office’s standout features is the food testing station in the back office. This area serves a dual purpose: it is a place to experiment with new drink recipes and a filming location for Kan and San’s YouTube videos. The food testing station is a constant reminder of the brand’s origins and a statement of their commitment to the legacy that Kan and San set for Bearhouse & Sunsu. It is a space where creativity can flourish, and new ideas can be tested and refined.

In addition to the food testing station, the office includes several other filming-friendly areas. These spaces are designed with attention to lighting, acoustics, and aesthetics to ensure high-quality video production. The seamless integration of filming locations into the office design reflects the brand’s commitment to authenticity and transparency, allowing their audience to see behind the scenes of their business operations.

TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT EMBODIES THE BEARHOUSE & SUNSU BRAND, THE OFFICE LOBBY WAS DESIGNED TO RESEMBLE A CAFÉ, BRINGING THE SHOP’S EXPERIENCE DIRECTLY INTO THE WORKPLACE. THIS DESIGN CHOICE ALLOWS EMPLOYEES TO IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, FOSTERING A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING AND CONNECTION TO THEIR WORK.

OPEN WORK AREAS, COSY LOUNGES, AND COMMUNAL TABLES ENCOURAGE SPONTANEOUS INTERACTIONS AND IDEA-SHARING AMONG EMPLOYEES. THE OFFICE LAYOUT FACILITATES FLUID MOVEMENT AND COMMUNICATION, BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS BETWEEN DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND FOSTERING A SENSE OF UNITY AND TEAMWORK.

Bearhouse & Sunsu’s office also features a variety of amenities to support employee well-being and productivity. A dedicated relaxation area provides a space for employees to unwind and recharge, while a fully equipped kitchen and dining area encourage social interactions during mealtimes. The office is designed to be a place where employees feel valued and motivated, contributing to a positive and dynamic work environment.

The attention to detail in the office design extends to the selection of furniture and decor. Ergonomic chairs and desks ensure employee comfort, while vibrant artwork and plants create a lively and inspiring atmosphere. The design team carefully curated each element to align with the brand’s identity and values, creating a cohesive and immersive experience for employees and visitors alike.

Bearhouse & Sunsu’s commitment to sustainability is also reflected in their office design. Energy-efficient lighting, recycled materials, and eco-friendly practices are integrated throughout the space, demonstrating the brand’s dedication to environmental responsibility.

By emulating their brand identity, employees can better plan around the customer experience while they are at work.

The transformation of Bearhouse & Sunsu’s headquarters into a vibrant, collaborative, and aesthetically pleasing workspace is a testament to the founders’ vision and the brand’s identity. By creating an environment that mirrors the energy and creativity of their YouTube content, Kan and San have successfully translated their online persona into a physical space that inspires and motivates their employees.

Bearhouse & Sunsu’s office is more than just a workplace; it is a reflection of their brand’s journey and aspirations. It embodies the values of innovation, collaboration, and authenticity that have made them a beloved name in Thailand’s milk tea industry. As they continue to grow and evolve, their headquarters will remain a cornerstone of their success, nurturing the creativity and passion that define Bearhouse & Sunsu.

BEARHOUSE & SUNSU’S COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY IS ALSO REFLECTED IN THEIR OFFICE DESIGN. ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING, RECYCLED MATERIALS, AND ECO-FRIENDLY PRACTICES ARE INTEGRATED THROUGHOUT THE SPACE, DEMONSTRATING THE BRAND’S DEDICATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY.