Key information
World headquarters
18,000m²
900 employees
2,400 seats
4 years of construction
Pernod Ricard
The Island, what better than an island to work?
Faced with the twin concerns of health and the economy, the world’s no. 2 wines and spirits producer ensures a safe and healthy return to the office to Work Differently.
A friendly journey
Being in the center of Paris but open to others. Pernod Ricard is setting up its new world headquarters in the heart of the eighth arrondissement, in the Saint-Lazare district, on a pedestrian esplanade and a new address created for the move, “5 cours Paul Ricard”. The 900 employees previously spread over seven different sites will now embark on The Island, in reference to the Île des Embiez, acquired by Paul Ricard in 1958, which has been landscaped and preserved as a genuine “postcard” island. Neither Fauboug-Saint-Honoré, nor Champs-Elysées, The Island is a land of conviviality, located in a generous neighborhood, open to the world beyond, like the Gare Saint-Lazare, which serves Le Havre and the rest of the world, and handles some 100 million passengers a year.
“The island is the face of Pernod Ricard’s future: a company open to the world. Both in its design and its layout, this new headquarters is the finest symbol of our Group’s transformation.” Alexandre Ricard, CEO of Pernod Ricard.
Like 13 “little creeks”, each floor has its own territory, its own lobby with the identity of its brand(s): a welcome coffee break. Neither black, nor white, nor grey, Saguez & Partners gives pride of place to vibrant colors (azure blue, Klein blue, ochre, saffron, Egyptian green, sandy beige...), natural materials (light wood, cane, terracotta, linen curtains, “guinguette”-style paneling) and a host of vintage objects.
An office that makes you want to go to the office
Why go back to the office? Saguez & Partners worked with users beforehand to understand their expectations, linked to their activities and the health situation. The design d’usages provides solutions that we don’t have at home: ergonomics, spaces, comfort, light, services...
Moving is good for your health
To move is to meet others, it’s good for your health, and the best way to achieve this is to offer more space to employees. The Island offers a variety of environments and a dozen different working positions to encourage people to move according to their needs throughout the day.
100% of employees are without a dedicated office (even Alexandre Ricard). On the other hand, the flex office needs to be well thought out. If some people don’t like it, they’ll find open-plan, semi-partitioned offices bathed in natural light and boasting high-performance acoustics.
Useful & ergonomic design
Through rigorous choices in terms of acoustics, lighting, air and light quality, ergonomic seating, circulation, details such as storage and signage... In its construction and design, the place is both sustainable and at the service of the uses of each employee.
“The office has to be better than home! The challenge is no longer to have a space that’s ‘mine’, but several shared spaces for oneself, adapted to different postures depending on the time of day.” Olivier Saguez, designer and founder.
In addition to these, there are meeting spaces for rapid decision-making, either standing or seated, others for undisturbed telephone calls, and “silent rooms” for working without calls or conversation.
From the ground floor to the 7th floor, big frescoes adorn the staircases, with the aim of encouraging employees to use them, to the detriment of elevators, potential sources of infection.
Last but not least, “office-hotel” is synonymous with efficient and precise services to simplify life: concierge service, gym, four restaurants, game room, zen and wellness breaks on booking, click & collect, travel lounge with shower and rest room... 100% useful services, 0 gadgets.
Being in the center of Paris but open to others
