Underpinned by the client's in-house workplace philosophy, we have developed a series of new office spaces inspired by their locations and responsive to the changing needs of workers in a post-pandemic and increasingly hybrid world.
Located opposite the city's historic stock exchange, the fit-out spans over 10,000 sqm across six floors, featuring flexible office space, a client centre, two landscaped courtyards and over 2,000 sqm of ancillary areas, including work lounges designed as collaborative gathering points.
The vision was to create a space where the future of collaboration, innovation and flexibility comes together. The modern, agile setup strengthens teamwork and enhances the way the bank serves its clients.
Flexible working spaces empower users to choose the setting that suits their needs each day – from open collaboration zones ideal for brainstorming and impromptu meetings, to quiet areas for focused work.
Sustainability was a key priority throughout, with the use of sustainable building materials, low-energy lighting and smart sensors to optimise electrical usage. Biophilic principles were embedded in the design, with more than 2,800 natural plants enhancing wellbeing and reinforcing a connection to nature.
Our client has taken three floors in the Étoile Building on Rue Balzac in Paris’s 8th arrondissement, just a stone’s throw from the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. The building’s circular atria and glazed courts have informed the design approach, incorporating these spaces to create harmony between inside and out. The interiors are inspired by the sophistication and refinement of one of Paris’s most celebrated districts.
The vision was to create a structured but clear floorplan that ensured amenity spaces were distributed throughout the working area, connected by the main circulation route.
The final layout of the main floor embraced the concept of openness, using unassigned desks and a minimal number of enclosed offices to encourage collaboration, spontaneous interactions and engagement.
The circular and curved geometry of the building is articulated throughout the scheme through furniture, fittings and curated artwork.
Access to natural daylight was a fundamental element of the client brief. To achieve this, glass internal walls were introduced throughout the scheme, allowing light to permeate the space and creating a more spacious feeling around the corridors and circulation routes.
The design approach was driven by a desire to create spaces that allow users to choose how they want to work while enhancing opportunities for those all-important spontaneous interactions. The spaces facilitate a full spectrum of work activities, from formal to informal, and for both individuals and larger groups.
“Gaining a deep understanding of our client’s cultural DNA has been central to the creative process and informing our design approach. Any successful workplace scheme must reflect this core essence whilst providing an environment that meets the present and future needs of the occupier.”Antoni Konarski, Director of Architecture
Another project in our client's refurbishment program was their Stockholm office on the second and third floors of 3 Birger Jarlsgatan. The building is a fine example of the contemporary modernism that dominated Swedish architecture in the 1960s.
The brief was to create a LEED-certified office space that adhered to the client’s in-house design guidelines while responding to the local context and providing an engaging and inspiring environment that meets the evolving needs of a next-generation workforce.
The floorplates have been divided to create a series of neighbourhoods on each side, surrounding a central core of shared spaces.
The design was inspired by the local context, emphasising the use of locally sourced materials, including lamps and acoustic panels made in Sweden from wheat pulp. Complementing the natural tones are splashes of colour that enhance the Scandinavian style, characterised by functionality, simplicity and beauty.
The client centre is the focal point of the office scheme, offering a high-quality space that underscores its significance within the overall design. The area is light and airy, featuring illuminated skylights and a sculpted staircase that leads directly to the second-floor terrace.
"We strive to design environments that support worker’s emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing through the application of light, colour, nature and art, all of which are known to drive productivity and support a healthy workplace culture."