Zenchef

Already established on the ground floor, Zenchef turned to Factory for a multifaceted challenge.

On one hand, to gain more space in the offices to accommodate employees more comfortably. The idea is to intelligently conquer the second floor to increase usable space. On the other hand, to enhance a historic building while preserving its authenticity and considering its fragility.

The overall goal of this mission was to implement a 'charm offensive' to encourage employees to reinvest in the offices. No major construction work was on the agenda: the modularity of spaces, furniture, and decor had to be enough to meet this challenge. We simply had to adapt to the possibilities offered by the offices and unleash the spaciousness of the places. But at Factory, we are accustomed to operating with the motto 'impossible is nothing.' A formidable puzzle: expanding the spaces without pushing the walls.

Both simple and complex, the essence of this exciting project rested on a constant duality: between the search for space and limited volume, tradition and modernity, collaborative life and individual spaces, remote work and office life.

This multifaceted challenge ultimately emerged as a reflection of the societal and human contradictions at play in workspaces. Just as offices need to be agile and flexible, we believe that adopting a chameleon-like posture is essential for understanding client needs and ensuring the effectiveness of the response.

Hence, our Factory teams took the care to organize interviews with the heads of each department prior to the project. The goal: immerse ourselves in the daily life of Zenchef, understand every aspect and nuance. Business reality, daily practices, team operating methods... We scrutinized every aspect of the company's life to gain relevance.

"This multifaceted challenge ultimately emerged as a reflection of the societal and human contradictions at play in workspaces."

To embody Zenchef's strong DNA and promote a unifying vision, we conceived a design concept centered around food. This artistic and strategic choice allowed for a common thread and coherence throughout the entire branding. A naming effort for the physical spaces associated with gastronomy, in particular, gave soul to the rooms and meeting spaces. Appellations such as 'Dining room,' 'Food court,' 'Wine Cellar,' and 'Kitchen Garden' not only helped better organize the spaces but also built a cross-cutting and more friendly imaginary within the offices.

The use of natural materials and colors, jute, bamboo, and vegetation, had a dual effect: bringing warmth and authenticity to the spaces, and also concealing the entire air conditioning network on the ceilings. The lack of space had overcome in-person presence, leading many employees to disengage from the offices. The dual ambition was to bring smiles to the employees and create enthusiasm for collaboration, in the face of a strong trend towards remote work.

How to reinvent the traditional image of the office with worn-out carpeting?

Some clever reinterpretations have allowed us to create a cozier ambiance. For instance, transforming carpets into rugs or adding subtle touches of color in the rooms has fostered a feeling of being 'at home.'

"Just as Zenchef reinvented practices in restaurants, Factory reimagined the volumes of workspace."

The labyrinthine layout of the space, constraints of preserving a Haussmannian-era structure, and a budget that must not be exceeded did not deter our teams. Despite numerous imperatives to navigate the project, the redesign of this 500m2 second-floor space was a success. The proof is that employees have returned en masse for in-person work.

This collaboration primarily pushed us to go beyond our limits and think smartly and collectively. A contract that was more than fulfilled for the Factory teams! Client satisfaction was only the result of a natural and immediate understanding, allowing for a smooth and seamless process. It's also the promise for tomorrow of new collaborations that are just as exciting... To be continued.