L’Oréal’s new Paris HQ designs wellness into the workday
From Google’s expansive Silicon Valley campus (where it’s bring-your-dog-to-work-day, everyday), to Lego’s Denmark Office with slides instead of lifts, companies are paying closer attention to how design and space influence their employees’ experience, and therefore, the company’s productivity.
The new L’Oréal HQ, Seine 62, with interiors designed by Maison Sarah Lavoine, follows suit – the workspace is focused on maximising happiness and wellbeing. Situated on the banks of La Seine in Levallois-Perret in Paris, the 48,000 sq m office space has welcomed 2,000 staff members. Lavoine hopes the HQ’s design will ‘bring a bit of joy into people’s lives’.
To cement the people-centred philosophy of Seine 62, Maison Sarah Lavoine studio adapted its expertise in residential design and hospitality for the office space, explicitly reframing design techniques intended for leisure, entertainment and comfort for a work environment. By teaming up with Mobilitis, L’Oréal’s architects, Maison Sarah Lavoine was able to specifically provide what the brand needs in terms of furniture and equipment, while still emphasising wellbeing (by, for example, consulting the Occupational Health & Safety ergonomist to help reduce back and posture problems for employees).
Seine 62 also includes four internal patios to increase natural light, a ground floor ‘Forum’ modelled after a hotel lobby, as well as a coffee and snack bar. To maximise dialogue and creativity, the design studio dismantled the ‘box-like’ office tradition by creating open office spaces that encourage ‘hot desking’ and building multipurpose rooms for senior management to collaborate and chat.
Perhaps most interestingly, Maison Sarah Lavoine has hued the interior of Seine 62 in baby blues and pinks, evoking a sense of nurture and nostalgia in the office building. The use of materials such as walnut, ceramic, and light velvet all combine to provide employees with gentleness, familiarity and warmth. In many ways, L’Oréal has sought to meld the space of work and home in their new HQ – perhaps for L’Oréal employers swiping into their office at 9am won’t feel all that different from finally twisting a key through their apartment door after a full day’s work.
Information
For more information, visit the L’Oréal website, and the Maison Sarah Lavoine website
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Perfumer H has bottled the scent of dandelions blowing in the wind
Perfumer H has debuted a new fragrance for spring, called Dandelion. Lyn Harris tells Wallpaper* about the process of its creation
By Hannah Tindle Published
-
The best fashion moments at Milan Design Week 2024
Scarlett Conlon discovers the moments fashion met design at Salone del Mobile and Milan Design Week 2024, as Loewe, Hermès, Bottega Veneta, Prada and more staged intriguing presentations and launches across the city
By Scarlett Conlon Published
-
LEVC’s L380 is a truly magnificent minivan
The London Electric Vehicle Company’s L380, is a magnificent minivan designed for upscale long-distance travel, as the maker of the London Taxi branches out into all-purpose EVs
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Grand Palais restoration in Paris through the lens of champion fencer Enzo Lefort
As Paris’ Grand Palais prepares to reopen following extensive restoration by Chatillon Architectes, we visit the site with champion fencer and photographer Enzo Lefort, who documented the space ahead of the Olympic Games 2024
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Royan Architecture Month showcases French modernism by the sea
Royan Architecture Month 2024 launches in the French city, where many travel to see midcentury builds by the sea, from Notre Dame church to Palais des Congrès
By Stacy Suaya Published
-
Dip into the Paris pools and swimming culture enriching the 2024 Olympic Games
Paris pools, in the Olympics and beyond, have inspired fun, wellness and a love of sports in the French capital
By Ellen Himelfarb Published
-
Jean Prouvé’s House of Better Days on show at Galerie Patrick Seguin in Paris
The Maison Les Jours Meilleurs, or House of Better Days, by Jean Prouvé is explored in a new show at Galerie Patrick Seguin in Paris
By Harriet Thorpe Published
-
Hauser & Wirth Paris by Laplace is a winning restoration in the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2024
Hauser & Wirth Paris by Laplace sees the architectural agency named Best Restoration Kings, breathing new life into an 1877 hôtel particulier near the Champs-Elysées
By Amy Serafin Published
-
A fire station cuts a bold figure in the city of Rennes
This fire station by LAN becomes a new landmark for Rennes, France
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
A refreshed Musée National de la Marine shows off its expanded exhibition spaces in France
Musée National de la Marine in France has been brought to the 21st century by a team comprising h2o Architectes, Snøhetta and exhibition designers Casson Mann
By Clare Dowdy Published
-
Studio Mumbai exhibition at Fondation Cartier explores craft, architecture and ‘making space’
A Studio Mumbai exhibition at Paris’ Fondation Cartier explores the trailblazing Indian practice’s inspired, hands-on approach
By Amy Serafin Published