The new Yves Rocher office is natural and inspiring
In the spring of 2020, the Polish branch of the cosmetics company Yves Rocher relocated to one of the finished mixed-use Varso Place buildings in central Warsaw. To design and fit out the new workspace, Yves Rocher joined forces with Origameo, a consultancy team at HB Reavis, creating an office that keeps employees active and supports Yves Rocher’s business goals while reflecting its culture and environmental principles.
Established more than 60 years ago in Brittany, Yves Rocher specialises in plant-based care. The company has long conducted advanced research into active ingredients and is a model example of a nature-conscious brand. Its whole production process is designed to minimise the company’s environmental impact. The brand’s environmental focus is reflected in the new office of its Polish branch. Offering more than 850 sq m of workspace for nearly 70 people, it is located on the 5th floor of Varso 1, the middle of the three towers that have transformed the western section of Chmielna Street, Warsaw. Despite the pandemic, the first Yves Rocher employees safely started working there in August 2020.
Yves ROcherWhen planning the new office, we had some concerns about leaving our previous cosy building.
We also knew what we wanted to focus on in our new office, namely employee well-being and, most importantly, environmental protection, which is not just an empty buzzword to us. We decided to contact experts from Origameo to help us not only transfer those values to the new workspace but also prepare us for the change,
says Barbara Majchrzak, Office Manager at Yves Rocher.
Where employees have a say
According to the methodology followed by Origameo, a workspace consultancy team at HB Reavis, the new Yves Rocher office was designed based on consultations with the employees and with the use of new technologies. The first stage involved a workshop with the company management that defined the vision and goals for the new workspace. Then, the employees were asked to offer their feedback using dedicated questionnaires. More than half reported overall satisfaction with their previous office, although some pointed out its weaknesses: the cumbersome two-floor layout, cramped rooms, limited welfare area and outdated furnishings. At the same time, dozens of sensors installed in the office were busy collecting data on workstation and conference room usage. Before preparing a workspace strategy, Origameo also interviewed team leaders and so-called change agents, i.e. people involved in the relocation process.
HB ReavisUnderstanding client needs and immersion in the organisation to better understand its needs are at the core of our work.
Using various tools in the research process, we can create a detailed brief for the architect responsible for designing the office layout and fit-out design. That was also the case with Yves Rocher,
says Adam Jaszkowski, Workplace Consultant at Origameo.
Yves ROCHERWith all the research, the very first space plan presented by the Origameo team
was a real eye-opener and in a way turned our initial plan on its head. We were very impressed and felt we were heading in the right direction. The moment we were shown the fit-out design concept, we knew that was what we were looking for!
says Barbara Majchrzak, Office Manager at Yves Rocher
Discussing the future office, some Yves Rocher employees were sceptical about a more open space layout. Consequently, the designers had to seek a compromise and find solutions inspired by the previous office structure.
Aligned with the brand DNA
The new Yves Rocher office at Varso Place is divided into two parts. The first part is an everyday work environment, with office desks located closer to the windows and meeting rooms and a collaborative space situated farther at the back. The second part is a unique combination of a reception area, a coffee house and a kitchen, making it a perfect place for both visitors and employees to relax and mingle. It also connects to a large terrace with benches and an impressive amount of greenery: grass, trees and other plantings. Interestingly, the plants also include ingredients used in some Yves Rocher products. It is an ideal inspiring place to work and relax outdoors.
The new space is heavily inspired by the philosophy of sustainability and mindfulness. The employee area was designed using subdued and simple finishes while giving it a very distinctive look, e.g. by introducing plant openwork dividers. Also, the entire office features a unique plant grid suspended from the ceiling. With time, more plants will be added, making the office even lusher. The colour scheme used in the workspace is also directly inspired by the brand.
HB ReavisWith a seamless change management process, we ultimately succeeded in creating an office that
employees simply like and that reflects everything that the company stands for. Managing to avoid excess, the workspace is modern and sustainable, dominated by natural materials and mind-soothing colours,
says Magdalena Drygalak, an Origameo architect.
Yves ROcherDespite initial misgivings, a more open, tailor-made workspace turned out to be the right solution for us.
The new office supports different types of activities, from quiet individual work to collaboration in small and large teams to phone calls. Origameo’s assistance in the whole relocation process proved very valuable, and we have come to appreciate their services more and more,
concludes Barbara Majchrzak, Office Manager at Yves Rocher.
In line with Yves Rocher’s slogan, “Reconnecting people to nature”, the location of the new office was not coincidental, Varso Place being one of the most advanced buildings in Poland in terms of environmental solutions. A carefully designed office that supports productivity and well-being is another step to reinforcing what the company and its employees stand for.
Origameo is part of HB Reavis, an international workspace provider. The team is composed of about fifty experts in six countries, specialised in interdisciplinary consultancy, office design and fit-out design management. Their goal is to create tailor-made spaces to support organisations of different sizes and sectors. Origameo’s key services include pre-relocation survey, strategy creation, workspace planning and fit-out as well as change management and post-relocation support.