Dezeen Magazine

Wooden meeting rooms by Estelle Vincent include seating, lockers and a slide

Within the intricately moulded interiors of this Parisian office block, architect Estelle Vincent has inserted a trio of boxy timber meeting spaces – one of which is can be exited down a pale blue slide (+ slideshow).

Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent

Parisian architect Estelle Vincent added the wooden structures to the Champs Elysees headquarters of marketing and data consultation firm Ekimetrics.

Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent

"The challenge of the project was to find a way in this heterogeneous 1,000-square-metre space to carry an image that is both consistent and corresponding to the identity of Ekimetrics – mathematical in its expertise in marketing, as well as young, dynamic and artistic," said the architect.

Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent

The shed-like spaces, all featuring slatted pale timber walls, were designed to provide semi-private meeting rooms and gathering spots within the open-plan office space. Each one was made by carpenter Fabric-K.

Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent

"In order to maintain some privacy, the open spaces are connected or punctuated by various more informal areas such as informal conference rooms," added Vincent.

Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent

The first structure, called Eki Cabin, sits in the centre of the lavishly decorated boardroom and contains a permanent office space for two people.

Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent

An angular nook in its asymmetric gable is filled with 24 wooden box-stools that can be unpacked and stacked into tiered seating to accommodate large meetings within the outer space.

Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent

The pale ply walls and minimalist design was intended as a deliberate contrast to the elaborate setting.

Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent

Inserted between two banks of desks and two arched windows in another room is a smaller four-metre-cubed meeting space named Eki Cube.

Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent

A triangular slice in one corner provides an entrance to a meeting room decorated with geometric-patterned paintwork. Sliding doors can be pushed across the opening to complete the cube.

Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent

A flight of steps partially concealed behind the slatted exterior wall lead to an upper level crows nest perched just below the ceiling.

Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent

From here staff can descend via a pastel-blue slide, which emerges from a wall covered in pigeonhole-style lockers.

Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent

The largest of the three meeting spaces, the Eki Gallery, is slotted into a timber framework in the shape of a house.

Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent

In the adjoining reception area, an L-shaped bracket printed with the company logo surrounds a soft seat area.

Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent

In addition to these three cubes, Vincent added a fourth wooden structure in the staff canteen. Here, food is dispensed from a hatch in a giant and brightly coloured cut-out of a food truck, named Eki Truck.

Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent

Photography is by Arnaud Schelstraete.

Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent
Site plan – click for larger image
Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent
Eki Cube plans – click for larger image
Ekimetrics office renovation by Estelle Vincent
Eki Cabin plans – click for larger image