A company canteen that suits the employees and welcoming character of SANS

With a wide collection of women’s, men’s and children’s clothes of various beautiful brands, SANS is a household name within the fashion world. An attractive physical shop in the centre of Rijssen and a successful online shop are the basic ingredients for success for entrepreneurs Tom and Nick Sans. To boost their ambition, the SANS warehouse moved from Rijssen to Nijverdal.

Mapping needs

A new place of business, newly built premises and a clothes rack full of ideas for the new company canteen. But how & where do you start with your interior design and furnishing? Because there was clearly a need for an atmospheric canteen that matches the growth ambition, the family character of the company and where employees feel at home. That’s where Kaja Interiors came in.

‘We wanted an atmospheric interior, not too sleek and clean. That doesn’t suit us. A company canteen with a real hospitality feel. Because we like to keep it local as much as possible, we chose Kaja. SANS and Kaja just clicked from the very first moment.’ – Tom Sans

A company canteen with space for fun and relaxation

Ideas for the design and interior of the new company canteen, the Sans brothers had. As in fashion, it should have its own style and work as a magnet for employees. It should certainly not become a boring canteen where nobody actually likes to sit.

A nice place where people can relax, have lunch and meet colleagues, but above all, all the space for fun or organising a company drink. That was the input for the kick-off of the ‘Kaja & Co Design Sprint’. From initial kick-off to full realisation, that was a strong piece of teamwork by the Design Sprint team.

The result after going through the five steps? A company canteen that fits like a warm coat, an interior style that we summarised under the theme ‘Step into Style’ and all well within budget.

‘Scoring together with hospitality, including in our company canteen.’ – Nick Sans

Work hard, play hard

Work hard, play hard, that is SANS at heart. The company canteen certainly needed this sporty character. This is reflected in the design, the chosen furniture and the created atmosphere. Despite the co-creation during this Design Sprint, Kaja’s interior designers were given complete freedom in designing the new interior. Well… as long as the pool table from the old premises would get a nice spot. That is part of the company culture and that is how we score points with our people. And we succeeded.

Working together through the lens of Sans

What Tom and Nick particularly appreciated about the cooperation between SANS and Kaja was the click and communication. It was just really good,’ Tom says. The lines of communication were short, the communication was clear and honest, the switch was made quickly and everyone was aware of what had to happen during the implementation.

‘For us, in retrospect, Kaja has been even more valuable on this project than we had expected or hoped for beforehand.’

Highlights according to Kaja Interiors

“In a particularly short time, we realised a stylish company canteen with various functionalities and plenty of seating. A business space where practicality and ambience go hand in hand. And all this on schedule and well within budget,” indicates Marc Schwarte of Kaja Interiors.

The main highlight(s) of this project? According to Marc Schwarte, that is surely the fact that SANS employees feel at home in the company canteen. And that they make frequent use of the various facilities and possibilities of this canteen with a catering character. From the kitchen bar packed with kitchen appliances to the regulars’ table. From the kitchen pantry to the cosy lounge seating. From the dining tables to the pool bar. Exactly as it was intended from the interior design point of view. You can’t get a bigger compliment, can you?

Kaja & Co design sprint

The Kaja & Co design sprint. How does it work? It is a unique approach where we arrive at a suitable & catchy interior design with a catering character in no time. Where we help companies or organizations with a sharp total quote and where we relieve the burden of the realization. A special, in-house developed design spins or ‘pressure cooker session’ to arrive at a ‘catering concepts in an office or work environment’. Think of company restaurants, company canteens, company lounges or work cafés. Check everything about our Kaja & Co Design Sprint here.