Sanofi
A 1,000 m² pilot space, designed to set the tone for every department on the site.
Three colour moods.
When Sanofi issued its tender to refurbish its Montpellier site, the aim was to create a showcase space, a model that would set the tone for every department on the site. Across 1,000 m², we worked hand in hand with the architects to bring their concept to life, from recommending the furniture to choosing every finish.
The architects imagined three moods. The quiet zones, in shades of blue, encourage calm. The moderate zones, in green tones, strike a balance. The active zones, in warm terracotta colours, are made for getting together. Our role was to select the furniture and finishes that make these settings work day to day.
A zone for every way of working.
The individual zones are designed for concentration. Screens between desks limit distractions, height-adjustable desks let people alternate between sitting and standing, and monitor arms free up the work surface.
The interactive zones are available throughout the day: coworking tables to move forward together, high tables for a quick catch-up, small spaces for three or four people for an informal meeting, and a large meeting table as well.
The support zones make daily life easier, with lockers, printing areas and a tea point, because a good workspace is also a place where people feel at ease.
In addition, acoustic booths, meeting rooms and pods let people step away for a call or a confidential conversation.
A pilot project for the site.
The result is a genuine user experience, built on a well-designed ecosystem of spaces where every employee finds their place. Today, this pilot project paves the way for Sanofi's future fit-outs in Montpellier, and we are proud to have contributed to it.
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.