Airbnb opens new Paris office featuring hospitality area

The new office does away with designated “neighbourhood” desks in favour of communal work spaces to encourage collaboration.

 

Airbnb’s in-house Environments team has worked with Studios Architecture on a new Paris office where it has looked to blend the company’s “belong anywhere” approach with local Parisian design tropes.

The space, which has just opened, will host Airbnb employees, facilitate public events and include a hospitality lounge – a new offer where guests and clients can be invited.

The building features a mansard roof,giving a Parisian attic feel upstairs. Overall it has been given the look of a Parisian home and also includes a foyer, salon and bibliotèque (library).

There is a departure from Airbnb’s “neighbourhood” workspace configuration, which was implemented in Dublin and San Francisco.

The “neighbourhood” is a self-contained Airbnb office space that provides designated desks and working spaces for up to 14 people.

Communal working

In the Paris office 60 employees are seated in communal working spaces and sit at large custom-designed tables in a bid to encourage collaboration.

The hospitality space, named Le Nid (The Nest), can accommodate various group sizes according to Airbnb and will also be open to the public for specific programming, as well as a place for monthly events hosted by the local Paris team.

There are views of the Eiffel Tower and Opera Garnier and a custom carpet in the hospitality lounge, which features patterns found within Opera Houses.

This is offset by contemporary furniture and a gallery wall of artwork, referencing Airbnb, Travel and Opera.

Furniture across the office has been sourced from local flea markets and Espace des Particuliers – a local upcycling company.

These are complemented by contemporary French designer furniture from the likes of the Bouroullec Brothers and Jean Prouve. Chairs from Parisian gardens like the Tuileries have also been sourced.

Sixth floor solarium

The sixth floor has the feel of a solarium, with plants and natural light. It takes inspiration from historical greenhouses and has been designed to be bright and open.

A dining area connects employees and allows staff to eat together every day in a bid to reinforce the values of family and home. Existing skylights and traditional wood beams have been exposed.

Throughout the office, cove lighting elevates low ceilings and brings light into dark spaces.

Within meeting rooms, other Airbnb listings have been referenced, including those from Tasmania, Morocco, the UK and China where finishing touches include a moss wall, which replicates a listing in Moganshan, China.

A peaceful “espace zen” retreat area has been included where staff can head for privacy, reflection or “a quick nap”. It includes a built-in sofa and a private balcony.

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