After entrusting Tétris with 2 Build projects in 2019, Startway-Multiburo is renewing its trust, but this time on a Design & Build project: their new 1,600 m² flagship coworking site, located in the heart of the Marais, in Paris's 3rd arrondissement.
The challenge was enormous: to transform a former La Poste sorting center into an original project that blends the codes of classic coworking with those of reception spaces, to make it a unique destination dedicated to the organization of events.
The brief was precise: to provide nearly 200 workstations, 5 modular meeting rooms, different types of workstations, a lounge and convivial areas.
Multi-purpose spaces for a unique experience
One of the key points of the project lay in the building's programming: the atypical ground-floor space, multi-functional over 800 m², was undoubtedly the area with the highest expectations.
It had to respond to a very specific customer path, with distinct uses: open-plan workspaces, modular and confidential meeting rooms in the center of the building, and storage facilities such as a series of secure lockers for users and custom-made mailboxes. It also had to be "privatizable" for events, which is why a generous and welcoming reception desk was installed.
It was important for all the spaces to be adapted to the needs and comfort of users: the upper floors were reserved for the rental of individual or shared partitioned offices, and on the first floor, circulation was kept accessible for the occupants of the office spaces. The rear of the building has also been designed as a convivial space, with a barista and an equipped herbal tea room. A private terrace also allows occupants to enjoy the outdoors.
Last but not least, particular attention was paid to acoustics to ensure greater confidentiality in the workspaces. Numerous phonebooths were installed on each floor to vary the types of use.
A unique building as a starting point
Another of the project's key points was Tétris' ability to fully exploit the potential offered by this atypical building, and to magnify its emblematic elements.
For example, all external HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) units were installed on a structure under the courtyard porch to minimize visual and noise pollution.
The historic entrance hatch was simply repointed by hand and varnished. Tétris teams also removed the false ceiling to reveal an exceptional ceiling height of 5 metres. This enabled the building to benefit from a maximum of natural light, thanks to the previously concealed glass panels at the top of the façade.
The removal of the false ceiling revealed both the building's architectural history and its constraints, to which we integrated the Startway graphic charter coupled with the guiding principle of the design concept chosen with Startway: the Orient Express.
A design concept that invites us to travel
The bare ceiling slab was flocked and covered in an anthracite grey. It was also "gridded" with primary frameworks, fixing points for technical elements (air-conditioning cassettes), vegetation and various decorative lighting. Cable ducts and trays were deliberately left exposed, and were also covered in anthracite grey. The lush green roof, suspended over 5 metres high, and the decorative lighting fixtures, hand-crafted and arranged one by one, blend in with the authentic spirit of the concept, without distorting the building's existing structure. Coworking becomes contemporary, friendly and warm.
The overall color palette, floor coverings, walnut joinery reminiscent of the historic airlock, rounded corners, velvety furniture, surprising wallpaper graphics and checkerboard tile inlays all contribute to the Orient Express-themed design concept, reminiscent of the landscapes traversed on a journey.
On the first floor, the phonebooths, both solo and duo, integrated into an archway, have also been designed to resemble train cabins.
Moving in
Feedback has been extremely positive, both from Startway-Multiburo and from users of the coworking space.
Not only has the project created a modern, aesthetically pleasing workspace, it has also opened up new service possibilities for Startway-Multiburo, strengthening its position in the coworking market.
This fine achievement is the latest element in a partnership founded on mutual respect and strong trust.
