Barbarito Bancel Architectes, a Paris-based agency, has designed a customized workspace for Moët Hennessy’s new French headquarters located on the upper floors of Bon Marché in Paris. The design emphasizes the Art Deco building’s heritage, the company’s values, and provides employees with a modern office environment that accommodates remote work.
According to the agency, the project had high stakes in terms of image and functionality. It needed to reflect Moët Hennessy’s values, showcase the site’s Art Deco legacy, create a sustainable design, align with the group’s development strategy, and drive a cultural transformation within the company by offering contemporary workspaces amidst evolving work methods and the rise of remote work. The ultimate goal was to deliver a unique and exceptional project that would enhance the experience for Moët Hennessy’s staff.
The workspace is likened to a Hennessy cognac bottle, symbolizing richness through a blend of textures, colors, and materials. The offices feature exposed glazed steel frames, parquet carpeting, oak-colored timber walls, and elegant timber floors, providing each space with a distinct yet cohesive aesthetic reminiscent of Tati’s Playtime film.
Large windows throughout the office not only offer stunning views of the Parisian landscape but also allow ample natural light to flood the space. This design choice not only visually expands the area but also reduces reliance on artificial ceiling lighting, creating a more comfortable environment for employees to work in during the day.
The reception area greets guests and employees with marine blue walls and a playful bubble-gum blue marble rug on dusky timber floors, setting a welcoming and vibrant tone for the office space.
The agency emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between shared and individual spaces, efficient organization of servant and served spaces, and a clear, secure, and serene layout to promote a sense of well-being among occupants. Their design aims to offer a comprehensive and cohesive spatial arrangement that is tailored to meet the unique needs of Moët Hennessy.
The workspace features a mix of shared and private areas for employees. Meeting spaces are designed in spacious, open rooms with varying seating capacities, accommodating different group sizes. These shared areas provide adequate distancing between individuals while fostering a sense of community in the bustling office environment. Incorporating indoor plants and tall ceilings enables better air circulation, a crucial consideration in designing spaces for remote work setups.
Sylvie Atienza, the director of human resources, notes that modern workspaces should possess qualities akin to residential spaces, evoking emotions, engaging the senses, counterbalancing the prevalence of virtual interactions, and integrating digital technology. This shift in perspective underscores the evolving role of architecture in meeting the changing needs of contemporary work environments.
Moët Hennessy’s new office layout exemplifies the significance of design that integrates company values, employee well-being, and productivity. With an increasing focus on accommodating remote work, there is a growing demand for designs that prioritize safety and comfort while promoting optimal working conditions for employees.
