ESTELLE VINCENT UPDATES HAUSSMANNIAN OFFICE WITH MINIMAL STRUCTURES

French architect designs Champs Elysées office of Ekimetrics

Ekimetrics is a young, dynamic firm that specializes in marketing and big data. For their new headquarters located on the Champs Elysées in Paris, the company sought an office space that would reflect their culture and identity. Paris-based architect Estelle Vincent introduced modern, minimal structures as a contrast to the well-preserved 19th century space.

Indeed, the intentional juxtaposition of simple, brute materials with gilded ceilings and ornamental flourishes is quirky but not distracting. The traditional space retains its character and is perhaps even strengthened in the face of such minimalism.

However, the elements are not superfluous with each one being conceived for a specific purpose. The aptly named Eki.Cube is a double height, 4 m3 wooden structure. It is placed between rows of desks in the open space and contains two superimposed meeting rooms: one which is entered through a cut out on the ground floor and the other which is reached via a staircase. A slide provides a quick exit from the second story and a wink of fun, while convenient and practical employee lockers are integrated into the cube’s facade.

Similar in style, the Eki.Cabin is placed in what was previously the great hall and is now an elaborate main meeting room. The cabin provides office space for two as well as holding 24 box-shaped modules that can be used as seating for large meetings.

The house-shaped Eki-Gallery is the largest of the meeting rooms and is directly accessed off of the Eki.Entrance, which consists of a seating area surrounded by a half-height wall emblazoned with the company’s logo.

The Eki.Truck was designed for more informal interactions. The life-sized food truck facade provides the backdrop for the kitchen space as well as an informal meeting room that breathes life and youth into what could easily be a cold and formal Parisian work space.