In Europe’s largest purpose-built business district – La Défense – we partnered with a global energy client to design a new headquarters for its French operations.
Following the end of its previous lease, the move formed part of a wider refresh of the client’s global workplace portfolio – creating an opportunity to better support evolving ways of working and ambitious sustainability goals, while reflecting its brand in a Parisian context.
We led the concept and schematic design, developing the basis of design and overseeing its delivery through construction. Our approach created an agile, modern workplace that encourages interaction, supports collaboration and brings diverse teams together.
A globally connected, locally delivered approach
What made this project distinctive was the way it was delivered. We brought together a global team of designers with deep experience of the client’s workplace strategy and local specialists who understood the Paris market and stakeholder landscape.
Our role focused on the early design stages – setting the vision, layout, finishes and engineering specifications – while continuing to support delivery through regular peer reviews and construction supervision. This ensured the final outcome remained aligned with the original design intent throughout.
The same approach has since been applied across other sites in Europe, enabling the client to scale high-quality workplaces while maintaining pace, consistency and local relevance.
Aligning stakeholders around a shared vision
The project involved a wide range of stakeholders. These included the client’s global real estate and workplace teams, local operations, consultants and the design-and-build contractor – each with different expectations and priorities.
A key part of our role was bringing those perspectives together. We worked closely with teams to balance functional, technical and cultural requirements, shaping a design that felt coherent and achievable for everyone involved. This involved regular dialogue, clear documentation and ongoing design reviews, as well as building trust across the team.
Acting as a consistent point of coordination across borders and disciplines, we ensured the headquarters met global brand expectations while responding to local needs.
Reflecting place through design
To reflect the office’s setting, we adapted the global brand design to capture the look and feel of Paris. Drawing inspiration from the city’s monuments and streetscapes, we used muted tones, warm textures and refined finishes that echo its architectural style and heritage. The result is a workspace that feels distinctly Parisian while remaining part of a cohesive global identity.
The building’s irregular geometry presented an early challenge. Rather than treat this as an obstacle, we worked closely with the client and design teams to develop a tailored spatial strategy that maximises the existing architecture. Clearly defined zones and intuitive circulation routes support easy movement throughout, enabling both collaborative and focused work.
With fewer fixed desks, the design prioritises a wider range of settings for working and interaction – including phone booths, meeting rooms and social spaces. These neighbourhoods were carefully planned to encourage day-to-day interaction, helping to energise the workplace and foster a stronger sense of community.
Designing for circularity and wellbeing
Sustainability was central to the project, informing both material choices and the overall workplace experience. Finishes were carefully selected to minimise embodied carbon, while existing furniture was retained or repurposed wherever possible to reduce waste.
Our team worked directly with suppliers to promote circular practices, encouraging the reuse of materials and supporting whole life-cycle approaches to minimise environmental impact.
Biophilic design elements – including integrated planting and natural materials – were introduced throughout the workspace, creating a healthier, more welcoming environment that supports employee wellbeing.
Helping teams transition to new ways of working
Shifting from traditional desk-based layouts to a more collaborative model was a major cultural shift for local teams.
To help create a space that truly worked for them, we involved employees in the design process from an early stage – gathering feedback and incorporating their views into decisions.
We then supported the transition through ongoing engagement with operations and works councils, helping people understand and adopt new ways of working.