Groupama
A rooftop terrace turned into a social space, above the city.
Rising above.
The top level of the building was an unused technical area. We turned it into the social heart of the head office: somewhere to eat lunch in the sun, to carry on a meeting, to breathe between two files.
Timber decking unifies the whole and absorbs the changes in level. The pergolas filter the southern light without closing off the view, and divide the terrace into several open-air lounges.
Planting as architecture.
Low hedges, shrubs and planters are not decoration added at the end: they structure the space, shelter it from the wind and create the privacy each seating area needs to work.
The outdoor furniture — deep benches, coloured poufs, low tables — stands up to daily use and to big occasions alike. It had to last, under full sun and under the mistral.
Project summary
Ergonomics and desk comfort
Adjustable seating, height-variable work surfaces, supports for standing postures. We size workstations around the hours actually spent in front of a screen, not around an average standard.
Acoustics and light
Noise and glare are the two most common complaints in open-plan offices. Absorbent panels, screens, booths and desk orientation are dealt with at plan stage, not added afterwards.
Modular furniture
Tables that fold and join together, movable partitions, seating that can be shifted: a floor plate should be able to change configuration in an hour, without technical help.
Integrated technology
Screens, video conferencing, room booking, lighting control: equipment is planned into the furniture and the services, to avoid extension leads and boxes stuck on as an afterthought.
Break and wellbeing spaces
Kitchen areas, lounges, quiet break spaces, outdoor zones where the site allows. These places, more than the desks, are what make people want to come back to the office.
Reuse and durability
Some of the existing furniture can often be reused after refurbishment. We favour French and European manufacturers, repairable pieces and take-back schemes for whatever cannot stay.