In the Cour Jardin of the Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris, France, Univers Uchronia has unveiled Daybed, a large-scale installation that reinterprets the hotel’s garden through materiality, color, and form. The temporary work, on view until 11th November, 2025, functions as both sculptural object and inhabitable space, establishing a dialogue between contemporary design and the historic setting of the Plaza Athénée.

At the center of the project is a ceramic surface designed in collaboration with Dutch brand Palet. The installation is clad in Palet’s glazed tiles, whose dimensions (149 x 149 mm) and color flexibility formed the basis for Uchronia’s architectural composition. The palette, dominated by greens and reds, references the hotel’s signature tones, including the red geraniums that line the Cour Jardin. Produced in the Netherlands, each tile is glazed to order from Palet’s library of more than 100 colors, which can be combined into over 300,000 possible variations. The reflective surface changes character under different light conditions, giving the installation a shifting visual presence throughout the day.

all images by Felix Dol Maillot

Uchronia’s Daybed Combines Ceramics, Textiles, and Furnishings

The ceramic assembly by creative studio Univers Uchronia is complemented by additional crafted elements: a custom-designed headboard by Treca, bed linens by Le Jacquard Français, floral curtains and cushions by Misia, and painted finishes by Seigneurie. Together, these components extend the project beyond surface design, integrating textiles and furnishings into a cohesive environment.

Palet, founded in 2021 by Jaap Giesen, Gilles de Brock, and Niels Monsieurs, operates at the intersection of digital design and ceramic craftsmanship. Its platform allows designers and clients to configure bespoke color and pattern combinations at varying scales, bridging industrial repeatability with artisanal variation. The collaboration with Univers Uchronia continues a partnership that has evolved from small-scale interiors to more ambitious site-specific installations. Daybed at the Plaza Athénée exemplifies this ongoing exchange, presenting ceramic tile as both material and medium for architectural experimentation within a public-facing context.

Daybed installation in the Cour Jardin of Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris

Univers Uchronia reinterprets the garden through form, colour, and material

the installation functions as both sculpture and inhabitable space

textiles, floral curtains, and cushions enhance the composition

Palet’s glazed ceramic tiles form the surface of the installation

greens and reds echo the hotel’s iconic geraniums and palette

the reflective ceramic surface shifts character with changing light

Uchronia and Palet’s collaboration extends from interiors to large-scale work

Daybed explores ceramic tile as both material and medium of architecture

project info:

name: Daybed
designer: Uchronia | @uchronia_world

location: Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris, France

photographer: Felix Dol Maillot | @felixdolmaillot

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Situated within the Maison des Champs Elysées hotel, Frivole is a new restaurant designed by Maison Malapert in the heart of Paris’s Golden Triangle, close to the Champs Elysées, Avenue Montaigne, and the Grand Palais. The project integrates the hotel’s discreet green courtyard with references to couture, creating an environment that bridges natural elements and the surrounding fashion context.

The interior is characterized by warm amber tones that shift in intensity throughout the day, subtle at midday and more vibrant in the evening, when the restaurant transitions into a bar and event space. Materials and fabrics, sourced from Parisian fashion houses, introduce a couture sensibility, while custom-designed furniture and controlled lighting contribute to a refined yet adaptable atmosphere.

all images by Nicolas Anetson

Warm Amber Interiors Define Maison Malapert’s Frivole design

The design team at Maison Malapert organizes the spatial layout around a central bench that anchors the room and faces the garden. To the right, a marble bar accommodates cocktail service, while the dining area extends toward more intimate seating options, including two tent-like niches inspired by Napoleonic references. A DJ station is integrated into the center of the space, supporting the venue’s dual role as restaurant and nightlife setting.

Architectural details include built-in mirrors, wood paneling, and integrated lighting that establish rhythm across the walls. At the rear, guests access the courtyard terrace, an enclosed garden outfitted with striped umbrellas and lattice patterns that echo the winter garden theme. Throughout, striped and patterned textiles extend the dialogue between indoor and outdoor references, reinforcing the connection to couture and the fashion district. Maison Malapert’s design balances function and atmosphere, creating a space where dining, leisure, and performance coexist within a setting that reflects both the history of the hotel and the cultural identity of its surroundings.

dramatic sofa in the middle of the room

napoleonic tent

main room view

front cocktail bar view

backlighting mirrors on the walls

view of the tent

large bar view

hidden garden terrace

terrace detail

project info:

name: Restaurant Frivole – Paris

designer Maison Malapert | @michael_malapert

location: Paris, France

photographer: Nicolas Anetson | @nicolasanetson

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Turin-based engineering firm Leva has developed a large-scale kinetic face installation for L’Épée du Roi Arthur, one of the performances at France’s Puy du Fou historical theme park. The permanent outdoor structure takes the form of a moving face, integrated into a tower, which animates during the show to represent the sorceress Morgane.

The installation combines mechanical precision with theatrical staging. Measuring 12 sqm, the sculpture is composed of 206 custom-designed modules, each driven by a linear actuator with a 70-cm travel range. These elements work together to create a continuously moving surface capable of fluid, lifelike expression while remaining durable under outdoor performance conditions.

all images courtesy of Leva

kinetic face demonstrates the role of motion in stage design

At the core of the project is Leva’s proprietary motion control system, which synchronizes the movements of every actuator. This allows the face to perform nuanced gestures and shifts that integrate into the show’s narrative. The design team optimized the arrangement of modules to maximize visual resolution, ensuring the sculpture’s geometry remains clear and legible from audience viewing distances.

The material and structural strategies emphasize both efficiency and long-term operability. Maintenance requirements were considered during the design phase, with modular construction simplifying future adjustments. The result is a dynamic wall sculpture that merges engineering with performance design, enhancing the immersive qualities of the Arthurian story. Leva’s kinetic face installation at Puy du Fou extends the company’s portfolio of large-scale kinetic works. Previous projects include the world’s largest kinetic wall for Aramco’s VIP innovation center and an interactive tunnel inspired by desert dunes in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.

Leva designs a kinetic face for Puy du Fou’s L’Épée du Roi Arthur

the moving sculpture represents the sorceress Morgane on stage

a 12-square-meter surface animates within a stone tower

the installation merges engineering precision with live performance

206 custom modules form the expressive moving face

together, the modules create lifelike and fluid motion

optimized module layout ensures visual resolution and clarity

the kinetic face integrates into the show’s narrative

the dynamic sculpture enhances immersion in the Arthurian story

project info:

name: Kinetic Face
designer-engineer: Leva | @leva.io

location: Puy Du Fou, Les Epesses, France

client: Puy Du Fou

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Founded in 2024 in Guidel, Brittany, France, the company Tiny Binocles designs and manufactures compact mobile homes characterized by their distinctive round windows and use of bio-based construction methods. The structures combine practical living spaces with sustainable materials, reflecting a design approach rooted in carpentry craftsmanship and ecological responsibility.

The twin circular windows, a defining element of the Binocles series, provide daylight, natural ventilation, and framed views of the surrounding environment. This feature not only establishes the houses’ recognizable identity but also enhances their environmental performance. Founder Ambroise Humeau, trained with the Compagnons du Tour de France and in Switzerland, applies techniques influenced by boatbuilding, emphasizing compactness, efficiency, and durability while incorporating natural finishes.

all images courtesy of Tiny Binocles

the design emphasizes compactness, efficiency, and durability

The Binocles collection consists of six variations. Grand-Duc (22.18 sqm) spans two mezzanines, accommodating four to six occupants. Lapone (17.39 sqm) is a single-level model designed for step-free accessibility, while Chevêchette (12.94 sqm, 4.28 m length) offers a compact solution for two. Each unit is mounted on a 3.5 t trailer, keeping them legally towable under Europe’s standard B(E) license. Alongside the Binocles series, the company also produces the Classiques collection, which adopts more conventional aesthetics.

Sustainability principles are integrated into every design. Timber is sourced from responsibly managed regional forests, insulation is made from bio-based materials free from petrochemicals, and natural oils are used to protect wood surfaces, allowing them to age without synthetic coatings. Prototypes were presented at the 2025 Grande Expo du Morbihan in Vannes and the Foire Internationale de Bordeaux, where visitors could explore the first series of models. With its combination of modular design, ecological materials, and distinctive architectural identity, Tiny Binocles positions its houses as adaptable mobile dwellings suited to diverse contexts.

Tiny Binocles specializes in compact mobile houses

each design is defined by its distinctive round windows

the houses combine practical layouts with ecological materials

circular windows frame views of the landscape

bio-based construction methods are central to the approach

the design emphasizes compactness, efficiency, and durability

timber is sourced from responsibly managed local forests

the round openings also provide daylight and natural ventilation

natural oils protect wooden surfaces without synthetic coatings

project info:

name: Tiny Binocles | @tinybinocles
designer: Ambroise Humeau

location: Guidel, Brittany, France

models (Binocles): Grand-Duc, Lapone, Chevêche, Noctua, Hulotte, Chevêchette

models (Classiques): Masquée, Oural, Épervière, Pagodes, Petite-pagodes

dimensions & areas: 12,94 sqm–22.18 sqm

materials: timber frame, bio-sourced insulation, natural finishes, locally sourced woods

mobility: 3.5 t trailers; permit B(E) category

status: in production, showcased Vannes 2025 & Bordeaux 2025

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On the Carnot-Ravinelle Campus in Nancy, France, Agence Vulcano-Gibello completes the building housing the Faculty of Law, a structure that reshapes circulation and gives the university a renewed presence within the city. A limestone concrete-clad gallery anchors the project, replacing an old demolished building and now connecting the surrounding academic blocks while opening the complex toward a revitalized courtyard garden.

The southern facade of the gallery is defined by a Burgundy limestone claustra, a perforated stone lattice that tempers heat gain while creating patterns of light and shadow. This screen, supported by a single central column, shelters entrances and service areas while echoing the tones and textures of neighboring facades. To the north, the gallery is more transparent, with broad openings that draw in diffused daylight. Finished in lime plaster, the north elevation mirrors the surrounding courtyard buildings, creating a continuity of materiality that emphasizes the rigor of the composition against the softness of the landscaped garden.

all images by Charly Broyez

Agence Vulcano-Gibello prioritizes environmental solutions

The University Palace, inaugurated in 1862, once brought together the faculties of Arts, Sciences, Law, and Medicine in a single institution. The intervention by the French team at Agence Vulcano-Gibello is inserted between late 19th- and early 20th-century structures and a contemporary building by Christian François and Patricia Henrion, forming an L-shaped plan that accommodates academic hubs such as CEU, IPAG, IRT, and the College of Law, Economics, and Management.

Visible from the main entrance, the garden of the project transforms a former rear access into a welcoming arrival space. Designed with minimal maintenance in mind, the planting absorbs rainwater and generates a cooler microclimate in summer, counterbalancing the mineral presence of the campus architecture. This green core reinforces the architects’ strategy of prioritizing simple and reliable environmental solutions, with the high-performance building envelope ensuring thermal comfort and the refurbished existing structures achieving improved energy efficiency.

Inside, a central double staircase with broad landings organizes movement vertically. The detailing, solid wood furniture, ample natural light, and clearly defined circulation support academic work and informal gathering. The intervention strengthens the university’s sense of identity by harmonizing with its historic neighbors while introducing a contemporary vocabulary, making the Faculty of Law both more cohesive and more welcoming.

a structure that reshapes circulation and gives the university a renewed presence within the city

a limestone concrete-clad gallery anchors the project

the intervention connects the surrounding academic blocks

creating patterns of light and shadow

the southern facade of the gallery is defined by a Burgundy limestone claustra

broad openings draw in diffused sunlight

supporting academic work and informal gathering

strengthening the university’s sense of identity

the refurbished existing structures achieve improved energy efficiency

solid wood furniture completes the interior

making the Faculty of Law both more cohesive and more welcoming

project info:

name: Faculty of law in Nancy
architect: Agence Vulcano-Gibello | @vulcanogibello_architectes
location: Nancy, France

photographer: Charly Broyez | @charly.broyez

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

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Mesure Studio completes a seaside residence nestled into the steep slopes of Forêt-Fouesnant on the coast of Brittany, France, that pairs experimental low-carbon construction with strategies for thermal comfort in shifting climates. The 100 square-meter house is defined by its raw interior of exposed natural cork and an envelope of poured-in-place concrete, into which sheets of polished stainless steel are inlaid to create reflective mineral silhouettes. 

Rather than replicate the pitched granite-roofed houses typical of the region, the architects developed a contemporary interpretation of the lean-to form. The roofline is lifted from the ground and detached from the gable, a gesture that protects key sightlines while generating a belvedere overlooking the pond and the Atlantic. This elevated volume also shelters a shaded garden below, designed to mitigate heat during increasingly intense summers and provide cover during periods of rain. As the landscape rises toward the house, the garden extends upward to crown the building with a green roof.

Large exterior curtains slide across the facade, filtering solar gain and accentuating the impression of the elevated volume floating lightly above the sloping ground. In this way, the house negotiates its exposure to sea winds, sunlight, and rain while sustaining visual continuity with the ocean horizon.

all images by Raphaël Boursier Desvignes

Low-carbon concrete as both structure and surface

The house’s concrete shell is treated as a crafted material, poured on-site using a low-carbon mix; its surfaces are articulated in multiple finishes — sanded, bush-hammered, smooth, and matt — so that each exposure responds to light differently. Mirror-polished stainless steel inserts embedded within the walls recall the geological origins of stone while producing fleeting reflections of the surrounding vegetation and sky. For outside use, the Paris- and Bretagne-based team at Mesure Studio chooses XS2 concrete for its resistance to saline air, eliminating the need for cladding or coatings that might weather poorly in a marine environment.

Inside, the architects leave insulation uncovered, with cork surfaces continuing the vegetal character of the shaded garden. This choice is both environmental and sensory, as cork improves acoustic absorption, regulates thermal comfort, and removes the need for secondary finishes such as linings or paint, reducing material layers and the project’s duration. The interior’s rawness contrasts with the luminous reflections cast by the embedded steel on the exterior.

Mesure Studio completes a seaside residence nestled into the steep slopes of Forêt-Fouesnant

the house pairs experimental low-carbon construction with strategies for thermal comfort

polished stainless steel are inlaid to create reflective mineral silhouettes

large exterior curtains slide across the facade

accentuating the impression of the elevated volume floating lightly above the sloping ground

this elevated volume shelters a shaded garden below

designed to mitigate heat during increasingly intense summers and provide cover during periods of rain

a contemporary interpretation of the lean-to form

the house’s concrete shell is treated as a crafted material

cork surfaces continue the vegetal character of the shaded garden

cork improves acoustic absorption, regulates thermal comfort, and removes the need for secondary finishes

project info:

name: House in Forêt-Fouesnant

architect: Mesure Studio | @mesure_studio

location: Forêt-Fouesnant, Brittany, France

area: 100 square meters

photographer: Raphaël Boursier Desvignes

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KAPIA is a site-specific timber and mirror installation designed by GRRIZ for Annecy Paysages 2025, located on the Sainte-Thérèse du Québec footbridge along the Thiou river in Annecy, France. The project seeks to transform a simple point of passage into a place of pause, encounter, and contemplation. The design draws inspiration from the kapia of traditional Ottoman bridges in the Balkans, architectural pauses at the center of bridges, historically conceived as civic spaces for exchange and dialogue. On the existing footbridge, two fixed benches were already placed at the midpoint, discreetly suggesting a moment of rest. GRRIZ chose to enhance this latent potential by constructing an architectural canopy that defines the space, offers shelter, and amplifies one’s perceptual engagement with the landscape.

KAPIA blends with the Thiou river and surrounding greenery | all images by Wilfrid Bof unless stated otherwise

GRRIZ clads geometric timber canopy in mirrored dibond panels

The structure is entirely built from Douglas fir timber, assembled as a lightweight frame that rests delicately on the existing bridge without altering its geometry or circulation. This reversible approach was a technical challenge for GRRIZ creative studio, requiring precise detailing to anchor the intervention while respecting the existing infrastructure. The timber elements are finished in a coral-toned protective coating, chosen to establish a chromatic resonance with both the urban fabric and the natural vegetation of the site. Above, the canopy is clad in mirrored dibond panels, a reflective composite material that captures and refracts the changing qualities of sky, light, and water. These mirrored surfaces generate shifting, almost painterly reflections that evolve with weather conditions and the presence of passersby, introducing a dynamic, expressionist dimension to the work.

side perspective showing the mirrored upperside reflecting sky and trees

canopy creates chromatic and reflective dialogue with the river

KAPIA thus emerges as a functional sculpture: a suspended threshold, open to all, belonging to none. It invites pedestrians and cyclists to slow down, sit, observe, and reconnect with the river and the city. Through its minimal geometry and play of reflections, the intervention redefines the perception of a familiar passage, turning it into a shared space of attention and imagination. The project was developed by GRRIZ following the invitation of curator David Moinard, and produced by Bonlieu Scène nationale Annecy.

the coral-toned canopy emerges at the center of the Sainte-Thérèse footbridge

the bridge is transformed into a place of pause and encounter

detail of the structure lightly resting on the existing bridge

pedestrian approach, highlighting the integration within daily urban life

geometric rhythm of the coral-painted timber structure

detail of intersecting frames and mirrored surfaces, creating layered views

close-up of the Douglas fir frame and mirrored surfaces | image by Mattia Paco Rizzi

abstract reflection of the landscape captured by the mirrored canopy

dynamic play of light and colors on the reflective underside

shifting moiré-like reflections evoking a painterly effect

project info:

name: KAPIA
architect: GRRIZ | @grriz_studio

design team: Mattia Paco Rizzi, Luigi Greco, Giulia Cerrato

location: Sainte-Thérèse du Québec footbridge, Annecy, France

materials: Douglas fir timber, mirrored dibond

dimensions: 7.6 × 4 × 2.5 m

photographer: Wilfrid Bof, Mattia Paco Rizzi

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Studio Vincent Eschalier completes the renovation of a 17th-century building near the Grand Rex in Paris to serve as the new headquarters for consulting firm SIA Partners. The renovation spans 3,000 square meters across five floors and a basement. On the street side, the original facades are restored to align with the character of the Grands Boulevards, while the commercial ground floor was redefined with new dark granite cladding. Inside, the layout was opened up to create flexible work environments. Exposed technical elements on the ceiling are painted white to reduce visual contrast, and many walls are deliberately left unfinished, revealing texture and construction traces.

all images by J.P. Vaillancourt

A Layered Restoration with Contemporary Elegance

Originally a private home, the structure had been modified repeatedly over the centuries, resulting in a mix of added wings, altered floor heights, and glass canopy insertions. These accumulated changes left the building in a fragmented state, but still with architectural elements worth preserving. The Paris-based architects approached the project by working with these layers, reorganizing the interior, and restoring historic features while introducing a more unified spatial and material logic.

Furnishings, coordinated by MVE-Collection, include light wood desks with linen rubber surfaces that are paired with selections from independent and established design studios. These include pieces by Axel Chay, Margaux Keller, Duplex Studio, and manufacturers such as Silvera and Petite Friture. In contrast to the raw surfaces, built-in cabinets and plants throughout the space introduce softer tones and a more domestic atmosphere.

Several distinct materials define different parts of the building, with terracotta tiles lining the restrooms, circulation zones marked by mineral finishes, and the central atrium paved in irregular opus incertum stone. This atrium, once a formal courtyard, is now enclosed with a glass roof and functions as a central gathering space. The rooftop of the rear structure, previously underutilized, has been converted into a planted terrace accessible to staff.

Studio Vincent Eschalier completes the renovation of a 17th-century building near the Grand Rex in Paris

the new headquarters for consulting firm SIA Partners

many walls are deliberately left unfinished

revealing texture and construction traces

exposed technical elements on the ceiling are painted white to reduce visual contrast

accumulated changes left the building in a fragmented state

the commercial ground floor was redefined with new dark granite cladding

light wood desks with linen rubber surfaces are paired with selections from design studios

the renovation spans 3,000 square meters across five floors and a basement

project info:

name: SIA Partners Headquarters
architect: Studio Vincent Eschalier | @studiovincenteschalier

location: Paris, France

area: 3,000 square meters

design team: Caroline Puleo, Elisabeth Duboys Fresney, Mattéo Lécuru, Lili Mangin

client: SIA Partners | @lifeatsia

photographer: J.P. Vaillancourt | @jpvaillancourtimages

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

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A contemporary spire rises in Caen, France, as multidisciplinary design Studio 5•5 creates a bold red signal to celebrate the city’s millennium and the future of its transforming port and peninsula. The public installation, titled the 101st spire of Caen, was created by Vincent Baranger and Caen native Anthony Lebossé at the invitation of artistic director Mathias Courtet. Conceived as a permanent sculpture, the monument pays tribute to the city’s architectural heritage — a skyline shaped by the spires of its historic abbeys and churches. By playing on the fable of the hundred spires, it inserts itself into this rich history while extending the city’s story, serving as a symbolic anchor for the port and peninsula. 

Studio 5•5 risis 101st spire to celebrate Caen’s millenium | all images courtesy of Studio 5•5

a filled void in caen’s architectural heritage

The expression ‘city of a hundred spires’ is more of a poetic observation than a precise count, a phrase echoed in local chants and songs. While the city’s core was rich with these vertical landmarks, the newly developed port and peninsula distinctly lacked one. This was recognized by Studio 5•5’s design team, addressing this void with the 101st spire. The project is a testament to local collaboration, with Terreal serving as both a manufacturing partner and a key sponsor, bringing together the industrial expertise of the factory and the traditional skills of the Poterie de Bavent, which handcrafted the signature finish.

the sculpture stands at the Port of Caen, embracing the city’s architectural heritage

101st spire transforms the port into a central public square

Standing at the prow of the peninsula, the red spire is a dramatic maritime landmark. Its unique, intense red color, developed by Terreal from local clay, is reminiscent of a lighthouse or a starboard marker, reinforcing the canal as a crucial maritime gateway and transforming the port into a central public square. This micro-architecture serves as a geographic and symbolic bridge, connecting the historic city center to the emerging urban landscape, and is embraced by the people of Caen as a setting for both small and large gatherings. At night, it becomes a glowing red beacon, pulsing with a gentle rhythm — a heartbeat for the city and its people. The collaborative project was rooted in a local ecosystem of more than forty people, including the training company Metal Academy, the Citeos company, and the City’s departments.

its unique, intense red color was developed by Terreal from local clay

it serves as a geographic and symbolic bridge, connecting the historic city center to the emerging urban landscape

at night, it becomes a glowing red beacon, pulsing with a gentle rhythm

it transforms the port into a central public square

the project is a testament to local collaboration

project info:

name: The 101st spire of Caen
studio: Studio 5•5 | @studio5.5
design team: Anthony Lebossé, Vincent Baranger and Nadine Nielsen
location: Port of Caen, Caen, France

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lisa kostyra | designboom

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The new headquarters for Wikicampers, located in Bidart, France, is a workplace designed by French architecture firm Collectif Encore with future change in mind. The building was commissioned to accommodate the projected expansion of the camper van rental platform, which has grown steadily since its founding in 2012.

Rather than following a fixed plan, the project is conceived as a framework for ongoing evolution. Wikicampers envisions a structure capable of adapting to the shifting contours of its team, operations, and culture. The architecture reflects this mindset, supporting a collaborative and responsive organizational model and balancing ecological constraints on a challenging site.

images © Michel Bonvin

collectif encore Anticipates Growth

Working with the team at Wikicampers, Collectif Encore create an efficient and transformable building — one that could accommodate up to one hundred employees in the future without compromising operational flexibility in the present. To achieve this, the architects employ a post-and-beam structural system that minimizes internal partitions and maximizes spatial versatility. The long-span design makes it possible to reconfigure floor plates, lease unused space, or stage temporary events.

This approach is at once cost-effective and pragmatic. Minimizing foundations reduces material consumption during construction, while the open-plan layout allows departments to expand or contract over time. The building serves Wikicampers now, while also creating room for it to grow and host others within the region’s active startup ecosystem.

the new Wikicampers headquarters is located on a sloping, forested site in Bidart, France

Engaging a Complex Site

Collectif Encore’s Wikicampers workspace is located on a challenging site which is steeply sloped and marked by three protected trees. Found along the edge of a zoning boundary, the parcel also came with a high parking quota that had deterred previous buyers. Collectif Encore responded by preserving the wooded perimeter and placing the parking beneath the building, reducing its footprint while enhancing ground-level access to green space.

Positioned among the trees, the building’s lower levels feel grounded and immersed in vegetation, while upper floors gain open views of the landscape. Each level steps back slightly from the one below, creating shaded terraces that act as both climate moderators and informal meeting zones.

The building’s environmental strategy is subtly integrated. Glazing is concentrated on the east, south, and west facades to capture winter sunlight, while deep balconies protect against summer glare. Natural ventilation flows through operable openings, reducing reliance on mechanical systems. The concrete slab delivers thermal mass, keeping interior temperatures stable without air conditioning.

Collectif Encore designs the building to continually adapt to the growing company

a post and beam system allows for long spans and flexible interior layouts

each floor includes a deep wraparound balcony that offers outdoor access

bioclimatic strategies include natural ventilation, thermal mass, and strategic solar orientation

interior spaces range from ground level meeting rooms to elevated open plan work zones

a timber screen on the north facade maintains privacy while referencing the wooded setting

project info:

name: Wikicampers Headquarters

architect: Collectif Encore | @collectifencore

location: Bidart, France

client: Wikicampers | @wikicampers

gross floor area: 854 square meters
completion: June 2024

photography: © Michel Bonvin | @michel_bonvin

lead architects: Collectif Encore
team: Anna Chavepayre, Julien Chavepayre Florent Grosjean, Anne-Lise Bouillon, Corinne Chiche
structural engineer: BEC
mechanical, electrical engineering: Ingétudes
civil engineering: Sogeba
structural eork: Oyhamburu

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