Microtopping® covers a large portion of the new Veja offices in Paris—a place that combines history, vintage aesthetics and minimalism, where the Ideal Work solution blends harmoniously.
Located on Rue du Faubourg in Paris, the new offices of the sustainable sneaker brand Veja look like a mix between a dolls house, a Bauhaus structure and a contemporary workspace.
The project was not about building the usual fortress obsessed with technological efficiency. Instead, great attention was dedicated to design. At the entrance, finely carved centuries-old balustrades delineate each floor, charming the visitor. The rest is very minimal, colours are light and everything conveys a bright appearance. The co-founder of the Veja brand, Sébastien Kopp, loves minimalism and brutalism and considers them a superior form of architecture. Yet he chose to keep the original decorative details as a sign of respect for the history of the building in which the new offices are located. Ecology is part of the project as a form of common sense, consistent with the philosophy of the brand.
The five-storey, 4,200-square-metre space underwent a nine-month renovation and now houses about 220 employees along with conference rooms, mid-century modern seating and a garage turned into a vegetarian restaurant, all under a giant skylight.
The project involved architects Hugo Haas Studio and Ūti Architects, both who were well acquainted with Veja’s philosophy and could interpret it through materials. The goal was to create a space that would make employees feel at ease, in all work areas. The architects reimagined the environments: the kitchen walls were covered with terracotta tiles from the South of France, solid oak was used in the meeting rooms and telephone booths and a number of ecological elements such as recycled polyester carpeting were implemented in the project. A delicate balance had to be maintained between what was there and what was new. For this reason, there was a great use of vintage, with elegant retro silhouettes in natural materials. To bring together all these components, Microtopping® in Olive Grey was used to cover approximately 650m² of surface. In just 3mm of thickness, Microtopping® allows the creation of a tactile, velvety surface with a neutral appearance. It was chosen primarily for its minimal aesthetic, capable of blending harmoniously into the space. Ideal Work’s microcement solution enhances the solid furniture and decor of the offices whilst giving a refined, contemporary feel.
Date: 2024
Place: Paris, France
Designer: Uti Architectes, Hugo Haas Architectes
ph: Antoine HUOT