MKDA crafted a vibrant new headquarters for Vita Coco, translating the brand’s tropical flavor and entrepreneurial spirit into an immersive workplace environment. Inspired by a sense of escapism and the ease of a beachside getaway, the design draws on Vita Coco’s tropical identity and the energy of New York City to create a dynamic, sensory hub that reinforces the product’s natural, refreshing character. In turn, the workplace reflects the company’s evolution— shifting from a startup mentality to a more connected, collaborative way of working. The result is a highly branded, human-centric environment, brought to life through a diverse program of creative labs, meeting spaces, and social areas designed to motivate and empower the team.
MKDA conceived Vita Coco’s workplace as a wellness-driven environment that prioritizes creativity, collaboration, and everyday efficiency. To support this vision, the design embraces a nature-driven palette of sun-washed wood, green marble, and clay and ceramic textures, establishing a relaxed, beach-inspired aesthetic. Building on this foundation, the project team layered natural materials, live greenery, and tactile elements—such as straw pendants and tropical wallcoverings—to bring the outdoors inside and reinforce wellbeing. Large windows and 16-foot ceilings flood the space with daylight, further enhancing feelings of openness and serenity. Rustic surfaces, industrial notes, and preserved building details ground the space in its urban context, balancing the softer palette with an eclectic, bohemian character.
Upon entering, the elevator lobby establishes the design’s layered approach by repurposing existing mosaic flooring and incorporating custom concrete wall finishes, abundant greenery, and straw pendants. These elements pay homage to the building’s historic character while introducing a lighter, tropical-leaning tone. This transition continues into the reception area, where a deep green custom arched display wall with illuminated shelving offers glimpses of palm-patterned wallcoverings in the adjacent meeting room beyond. Notably, MKDA preserved the existing wood floors and refinished them in a bleached, sand-toned finish, while original columns with crown molding were retained throughout to maintain architectural continuity. Integrated mini refrigerators stocked with a variety of Vita Coco beverages and layered greenery complete the front-of-house experience, reinforcing a sense of hospitality and brand presence from the moment guests arrive.
MKDA designed a lively café and bar as the social heart of Vita Coco’s workspace, where daily rituals and company culture naturally intersect. Located directly off the main open work area, the café invites employees to step away from their desks and gather for everything from a quick coffee break to an impromptu meeting or full-scale town hall. A pressed tin ceiling evokes the building’s Flatiron roots, while ceramic tile with flora and fauna motifs, glowing backlit shelving, deep green walls, and green marble surfaces ground the space in the brand’s lush, tropical identity. A mix of communal tables, built-in banquettes, and bar stools creates a flexible environment that encourages conversation, connection, and a strong sense of community.
Beyond these social gathering areas, the project team incorporated a series of spaces dedicated to experimentation, collaboration, and quiet focus. The Coco Lab, for example, serves as a unique environment for research, development, and hands-on product exploration within the workplace. Unlike a typical office pantry, the lab supports real-time testing of new flavors and formulations, allowing ideas to move quickly from concept to tasting. Warm wood cabinetry, a sculptural stone-topped island, deep green millwork, and porcelain tile give the space the feel of a professional test kitchen, while woven pendant lighting and chairs establish a more intimate, welcoming setting.
MKDA organized the conference and phone rooms into a focused zone within the workplace, balancing formal collaboration with moments of privacy. In the main boardroom, a long wood conference table sits beneath custom wood and woven cane acoustic ceiling clouds, with palm-patterned carpeting subtly reflecting Vita Coco’s brand. Beyond the boardroom, the phone rooms introduce a playful counterpoint, with bold pink interiors and tropical wallcoverings creating intimate spaces for calls and quiet focus. Custom wood signage naming meeting rooms after vacation destinations, such as Marahú and Arugam Bay, extends the brand narrative into even the smallest moments of the workplace.
The open work area carries Vita Coco’s hospitality-driven design language into the everyday experience of work. MKDA balanced the highly efficient benching layout with abundant planters, natural light, woven carpet, straw pendants, and relaxed lounge pockets. With a program that includes 68 height-adjustable desks, executive and private offices along the perimeter, creative labs, meeting rooms, and phone rooms, the workplace supports today’s team while allowing flexibility for future growth. Ultimately, Vita Coco’s new workplace celebrates evolution, creativity, and a touch of daydreaming, blurring the line between destination and office in a way that feels as refreshing and spirited as the brand itself.