Arnaud Decker of Korus Group gives us a tour of Coinbase’s new Luxembourg City offices, and the story behind the build.
Coinbase’s arrival in Luxembourg made headlines earlier this year. Here, we take the angle of the partner behind the scenes: Arnaud Decker, Managing Director BELUX at Korus Group, the design & build firm that brought the offices to life.
What was Coinbase’s initial brief for these Luxembourg offices? Were there specific visual codes tied to their brand identity — crypto, tech, a “global” culture — that had to come through in the space?
Coinbase entrusted us with a full design & build mission, from the initial capacity study and consulting phase through to the design and execution of their offices.
The priority was to honour the identity of an international tech company in a space meant to host its European headquarters. We had to answer the needs of cosmopolitan teams, with an open, collaborative spirit true to the group’s culture.
That direction translated into a layout combining open-plan areas with meeting rooms. Beyond the visual codes, Coinbase’s DNA had to show up in how people work and interact day to day.
Fitting out the offices of an international tech company that has just landed in Luxembourg — is that different from a more “classic” project for the local financial sector? What were the specific constraints or surprises on this project?
This project accompanied the growth of Coinbase’s presence in Luxembourg. Its singularity lies at the crossroads of two worlds: tech company culture and the demands of a major player in digital finance. We had to encourage exchange between teams while integrating a high level of security, confidentiality and technological equipment, within a defined budget.
Working with an American client was also an important dimension. Regular meetings with their teams allowed us to understand their standards and adapt their requirements to the local regulatory framework and technical constraints. Our role was to bridge the group’s expectations with their implementation in Luxembourg.
Coinbase talks about needing “institutional credibility” to establish itself in Luxembourg. Did that translate into your design choices — materials, meeting spaces, signage? How do you convey that kind of message through interior architecture?
Yes, that dimension comes through in the balance we sought between Coinbase’s tech spirit and the professional framework expected of a European headquarters.
The layout of the meeting rooms and how they connect to the open areas reconcile collaboration, hospitality and discretion. The quality of execution and the careful integration of equipment also contribute to the overall coherence.
“An office says something about a company before the first meeting even begins.”
Arnaud Decker, Managing Director BELUX at Korus Group
For a company setting up quickly in a new country, what were the timelines on this type of project, and how did Korus organise itself to deliver a functional space under these time constraints?
We proceeded in two stages. The offices were made operational in three and a half months, to meet Coinbase’s deadlines, notably linked to their obligations with the CSSF. Two months later, a second phase completed the space with additional design elements and furniture.
That phasing distinguished what was indispensable for the teams’ arrival from what could be installed afterwards. Carrying both the design and the works under a single mission allowed us to build these priorities in from the start and coordinate decisions accordingly.
We also worked closely with the building owner to respect the building and preserve the daily life of its other occupants.
Is there a specific element of the fit-out — a space, a material, a technical solution — that you’re particularly proud of on this project, one that sums up Korus’s approach well?
I’d point to the way we integrated the technical and security requirements into an environment that keeps its open, collaborative character. That balance sums up the project well: meeting demanding requirements while giving teams a space that’s pleasant and simple to use.
That’s our approach at Korus: understand how the company operates, advise it on the right solutions, and see them through to execution.
This project reflects what makes Korus strong: solid local roots combined with an international presence across many countries in Europe and Asia. In Luxembourg, this year we’ve supported numerous projects for both local and international companies, pairing the proximity of our teams with the expertise of the group.
