Ipsen

Ipsen is a global biopharmaceutical group dedicated to developing innovative medicines for patients across three key therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Diseases, and Neuroscience. Its R&D portfolio builds on both internal and external innovation, backed by nearly a century of expertise and development anchored in global hubs across the United States, France, and the UK. With teams in over 40 countries and partnerships spanning the globe, Ipsen brings its treatments to patients in more than 100 countries.

After recent real estate projects in London and Cambridge, the spotlight turned to Paris. The mission: unite Ipsen’s Paris-area teams under one roof worthy of their ambitions. That’s when we stepped in.

This new headquarters marks three major shifts for Ipsen. First, a spatial shift: gone is the fragmentation between Boulogne-Billancourt and Les Ulis.

Now, everyone is together within central Paris — in a space that’s optimized, coherent, and efficient. Second, a cultural shift: a move to flexible workspaces — which means saying goodbye to assigned desks. In their place: open, dynamic environments designed for movement, collaboration, focus, or stimulation, depending on the moment.

And finally, a symbolic shift: this isn’t just about co-location. This address is a statement of intent — a showcase for the company and its culture.

Flexible working means being especially mindful of posture, pace, and flow. Varied seating, height-adjustable desks, natural materials, and purposeful volumes: here, design is never just decorative — it serves the user experience.

We weren’t looking to impress. We aimed to simplify, clarify, and soften. To create a true ecosystem for work — one built around the people who bring it to life.

Warm tones (terracotta, beige, greige), raw materials, custom or carefully sourced furniture — every detail contributes to a soft, welcoming atmosphere. The space is punctuated by the artwork of Henri Beaufour — grandson of Ipsen’s founder.

Natural light is abundant. Acoustic comfort is finely tuned. And greenery is anything but ornamental — it’s everywhere.

This headquarters also offers a new way to tell the Ipsen story. More fluid, more contemporary, more human. From the moment you step inside, the poetic DNA-shaped chandelier — created with Komut — greets visitors and affirms the company’s scientific mission. Every space becomes a tool for connection, reinforcing Ipsen’s company culture with elegance and meaning.

This isn’t just a workplace — it’s an international showcase for Ipsen. We’re not talking about brand image. We’re talking about culture.

Exceptional service design is a core part of the project. After visiting our own offices, Ipsen CEO David Loew was inspired to replicate the Factory model for the company’s catering experience: a social hub with flavorful, diverse cuisine and high-quality table service. The result? A brand-new, professional 200m² kitchen capable of serving 450 meals per day — designed and built entirely by our teams.

And that’s not all: terraces with planchas and garden beds, cafés with baristas, a dedicated wellness and fitness space... Every detail was designed to enhance the daily lives of employees. Working here also means living well here — experiencing this headquarters not just as a workplace, but as a space for community and connection.

We delivered a fully controlled, high-standard project in just eight months of construction — despite tight deadlines and high technical demands.

Our greatest pride? Merging functional excellence with emotional design, down to the finest detail. In the end, Factory and Ipsen teams worked hand in hand to create more than a workspace — we crafted a place for meaningful connection. A space where collaboration, performance, focus, and innovation come together — fully aligned with Ipsen’s vision. This project came to life thanks to the vision of Ipsen’s leadership — and the teams who stood behind it every step of the way.

Eight months. Intense constraints. An exacting level of finish. We stayed the course. But what truly matters to us is this: we reconciled high standards with emotional resonance. And we did it through co-creation, with careful listening, precision, and commitment. We didn’t just design a space. We shaped a place of identity, performance, and connection — a place that brings Ipsen’s vision to life.