Summary sheet
sectorTech
area300m²
placeParis 2nd
delivery2022
Engaged Expertises
- Architectural Concept.
- Concept & Storytelling.
- Furniture and Decoration.
- Strategy and Property Search.
WeMoms
Paris 2nd // 300m²
sectorTech
WeMoms has questions, Factory has answers.
"The subsidiary of French unicorn Voodoo called on Factory to find it a new home."
Motherhood is a wonderful gift, but it's also a time full of questions. WeMoms is a platform that helps mums to make the most of this period. Comparable to the British MumsNet, the site is dedicated to young and not-so-young parents, its aim to put people in touch with each other and enable them to share their experiences.
In short, it's a caring community dedicated to sharing and support. Witness to extraordinary success and rapid growth, this subsidiary of the French unicorn Voodoo called on Factory to find it a new home. WeMoms values are values we hold dear, and we were delighted to accept the challenge.
The WeMoms family expands.
"To meet the major challenges facing WeMoms, a desire for change and thinking big surfaced."
The sudden rise of WeMoms and its acquisition by Voodoo prompted the company to offer a fresh start to its forty or so employees. The 200m2 workspaces, now too cramped and impersonal, were no longer conducive to working in the best possible conditions. To meet the major challenges facing WeMoms, a desire for change and thinking big surfaced.
WeMoms appealed to our Factory experts to find new, iconic headquarters that would match their ambitions and provide a stronger identity. Their own premises, like them, for them. A place to inspire and strengthen the bonds of this growing family. The scope of the project included an initial property search and support to find their future nest. We took charge from concept to completion of the design and layout of the new offices, in an ideal location for incubating new projects.
A smaller space for bigger projects.
"The hidden gem we discovered was in the heart of France's answer to Silicon Valley."
At Factory, we don't just nod our heads at all of our customers' requests. The advice we provide ensures that projects are carried out properly and is fundamental to creating real added value for our clients. In this case, we had been commissioned for a 1000m2 project but we made a more coherent offer for 300 m2.
Because customer service is at the heart of Factory's approach, we didn't hesitate to question the initial specifications in order to provide the best solutions. Meeting our customers' expectations is the right thing to do, acquiescence may not be.
"Meeting our customers' expectations is the right thing to do, acquiescence may not be."
So we scaled down the size of the property we were looking for, but not the ambition of the project. A smaller, less impersonal space, to encourage cohesion and closer synergies between teams. The hidden gem we discovered was in the heart of France's answer to Silicon Valley. 300 m2 on the rue du Louvre, right next to the Voodoo offices.
The character of Haussmann's grand setting won us over (despite the visible imperfections). Because our experts are not afraid of a challenge, we were not put off by the poor condition of the property. On the contrary, we saw the potential to transform and elevate after major refurbishment and renovation work. A golden opportunity for negotiation, and a perfect fit with the project's budget.
WeMoms, immersed in good vibes.
Not everyone is capable of projecting themselves into an empty shell, in complete need of renovation.
Factory did, because we were certain of its potential and of our ability to embody the WeMoms mindset. More than just a refurbishment, our teams were faced with a complete overhaul of the premises including taking care of the plumbing, heating, electrical and structural work.
For us, an empty space is an incredible playground, a blank canvas, allowing us to put our cross-disciplinary expertise to work and shape it as a sculpture emerges from the stone. Like the WeMoms community, we tend to pamper our customers and mother our projects, to give them the best possible start in life. This beautiful allegory of maternity was the mindset our teams throughout the project.
"We tend to pamper our customers and mother our projects, to give them the best possible start in life".
In response to WeMoms' expectations, the premises were designed as a cocoon, to be soft and reassuring for employees. As well as the cosy feel of the workspaces, we also saw them as a calling card for the brand, in the eyes of its sponsors and partners. The intention was to design hybrid premises that would be a real reference point for both internal and external audiences, combining employee well-being with business ambitions. From the entrance on, we wanted to inspire a feeling of immediate immersion in a congenial space. The pink and red tones that are so close to the DNA of WeMoms lend themselves well to this soothing atmosphere. The pink progresses to terracotta red to bring more warmth and presence to a place charged with calm and positivity. Just like home.
"The intention was to design hybrid premises that would be a real reference point for both internal and external audiences, combining employee well-being with business ambitions."
The office is bathed in warm, reassuring colours, with comfortable seating and benches that encourage sharing and promote the daily fulfilment of employees. The rest of the space is organised in the form of two fully glazed open spaces, but partitioned to create agile zones and increase productivity. Like a maternity hospital, this major refurbishment project required months of study and technical expertise to realise its full potential, until it could be proudly unveiled to the world.
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