Olympic & Paralympic inspirations

Posted on October 22, 2024June 4, 2026 by charlotte

Olympics & Paralympics: Inspiration. Memories and the Lessons They Teach

This weekend I received my souvenir tickets for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

October 22, 2024

It took me back to the stands at the Versailles stadium during the para-dressage event, facing the palace and the reflecting pools, surrounded by greenery and supporters who were thoroughly soaked but delighted. What will remain of the vision of the future that the Olympic and Paralympic Games offered us? Was it a magical interlude, quickly overshadowed by the busy news cycle of the new school year?

Like many of us, I refuse to believe it, preferring to think that we might also be able to draw lessons and inspiration from it for our day-to-day office life.

What can we learn from these magical moments for our work environments?"

Hospitality

How pleasant it is to be greeted by an enthusiastic, smiling human being on arrival at a site!
While the volunteers demonstrated incomparable energy and good humor throughout the events that punctuated our summer, the baristas or coworking hosts were not to be outdone.

Post covid, we realized that offices would remain an essential place to work, not least because of the social ties that employees bring with them (a trend confirmed by our latest barometer).

Today, a human welcome remains a strong added value, provided you give it the means to do so. A mobile hostess, freed from her reception desk, working in a warm environment like a hotel lobby, and able to offer your visitors a cup of coffee, will put them in a much better mood.

We applauded these volunteers because, in addition to their smiles, they were the backbone of these games, some visible, others working in the shadows. Doesn't it make you think of other colleagues, whether they're called members of the work environment, or more soberly general services? We should think about celebrating them too, highlighting the actions that keep our buildings running smoothly.

Inclusion

Much has been said about this for the opening ceremonies, but I found it particularly well done on site access, removing the usual barriers around disability.

As the Versailles site requires a long walk, electric shuttles were made available for anyone who has difficulty walking, has a visible or invisible disability, or is just elderly, pregnant, etc. There was no need to show any kind of card or pass to benefit from them.

Tools developed to assist one type of disability can be used by all if they are designed with this in mind. For example, for each event, the Games' dedicated application gave you access to an audio description. While this was aimed at the visually impaired, it was also educational, and very useful for children or non-expert audiences.

In the design of spaces, inclusive design aims to take into account the physical and physiological needs specific to each person by translating them into spaces that are useful to all. A height-adjustable desk, for example, will be indispensable for an employee in a wheelchair, but will also be much appreciated by someone suffering from occasional lumbago.

Taking inclusion into account must also be reflected in communication, like this delicate attention to "Stand up, if you can, for the hymns."

Digitization

Venue management applications are still underdeveloped, implemented by lessors during the marketing phase, but often shunned by users.
During the Games, the various applications (Transport, Tickets and Olympic) were particularly used by visitors. I'll give you my positive impressions of these applications:

- Visible: Everywhere, on all the physical sites or websites, QRcodes prompted visitors to download the applications. Impossible to miss.

- Systematic: No choice for tickets, you had to go through the tickets application. I found this compulsory process very reassuring.

- Updated: The news feed was regularly updated. It's true that there was a lot of news during the Games, but there must be something to be said for regular news in our businesses.

- Ergonomics: it can't be said often enough, but the care taken over the ergonomics and design of an application makes it a success. The graphic charter, also applied to all downloadable documents, contributes to a pleasant digital experience.

- Rich content: in addition to the latest news, a wealth of educational and practical content was available, including maps, explanations of events and sites, etc.

- Personalization: the content on offer could be personalized according to your choices (which team you support, which sport you want to follow) and according to the tickets you purchased. This implies a certain interconnection.

Less concrete

"Less concrete" as Phryge would say: To reduce its ecological impact, Paris 2024 has given priority to temporary installations. We've seen ephemeral stadiums spring up right in the center of town.

This inspires me to think about 2 things: Firstly, the question of materials. In many development projects, particular attention is paid to the sourcing of local or recycled materials. This virtuous practice should be encouraged. But it also needs to be sustained over time.

As I said in my article on persistence in real estate projects, it's all very well to inform your employees at the time of the project, but it's also important to keep this information available over time. For example, a label indicating that such and such a piece of furniture was produced in France, or that such and such an acoustic wall is made from recycled materials. This way, new employees or visitors will be able to (re)discover your environmental commitment long after the project has been completed.

Then there's the question of temporary installation. We all know that the animation of a site is essential. It can also be a factor in innovation, by testing out new facilities. How can we do this? With furniture rental, which is becoming increasingly popular. For example, if your team is unsure about the type of meeting room it should use, you can test a brainstorming area with tall furniture and, after a few weeks' use, decide whether it's the right choice. You can also apply it to your common spaces, reception areas, etc.

Nudge addict

For the end At last but not least as our English friends say.

I loved the little messages from the phrygians.
" One two tri!" to encourage people to recycle waste, "Chou must go on" and "veni vidi veggie" to encourage people to discover vegetarian and gourmet recipes, "espace VIB (Very Important Biodiversity" to raise awareness of the need to respect the site, with each time a too-cute drawing of Phryge and a QR code to find out more.
Passing on an instruction with joy and happiness is definitely more effective than the traditional "forbidden to" and "Thank you for" methods.

So here's to your word games!

Remanence of a real estate project

Posted on September 6, 2024June 4, 2026 by charlotte

The Lingering Impact of a Real Estate Project: An Important Issue.

Aftereffect: “ Partial persistence of a phenomenon after its cause has disappeared .” When managing a relocation project, there are often numerous time constraints, and the focus is on the teams’ move-in date, with all efforts concentrated on ensuring the success of this onboarding day.

September 6, 2024

This must indeed be a highlight for the teams involved, the culmination of several months of planning and hard work. But what remainsof this collectiveeffortand enthusiasm once the move is complete?

After all, a transformation project bears fruit over time, so it is important to ensure itslong-term impact.

Laurens project by Parella

Think story telling right from the start

What do you want to retain as a strong message from this move?
Certainly not the fact that you had to leave your previous location because the building was outdated or your premises were too small for your growth.

While this cause must of course be explained at the outsetthe project, it the ambition you're going to define for your target building. target building:

- the creation of a common home,

- theexpression of your values,

- the deployment of an employee experience in symmetry with your attentions to your customers ...

This ambition will guide the programming of your building and the design of your spaces, and will need to berelayed by the communication plan.

Tverything doesn't end with the move - on the contrary, it's where it all begins!

While project teams generally arrive exhausted at the end of the marathon that is a relocation project, for employees, this is where it all begins: the appropriation of new premises, the discovery of new ways of working, the establishment of new rituals...

To get the ball rolling, we feel it is necessary to bring new players into the game, second-half "finishers of the second half as Fabien Galthié in rugby.

They will be in charge of instilling this energy and promoting these new uses, making the most of the spaces and services put in place by the design team.

It's to accompany this implementation that we like to return to our projects after the move-in, to provide feedback that is much more than an assessment, it's a plan of action for the future.

Time for appropriation

During the course of your project, you may also discover a subject that you don't have the time to deal with, or for which the use is not yet complete: for example, the installation of a multi-purpose reception area.

Rather than risk setting up a layout that is not suitable, launch an experiment with salvaged or rented furniture for the test period.

In this way, you can calmly fine-tune uses with users, and continue the dynamic of progress after installation on site.

In the same way, you can leave yourself breathing space, in terms of personalization or additional space, as uses are gradually defined as the site is appropriated.

Experiment with, formalize and disseminate the development charter

In the case of a group with several sites, the deployment of newworkspaces and innovative services on one site should be considered as an experiment.

This can be an opportunity to publish a workspace designcharter , as in the case ofArkea, which presented it to its Works Council before rolling it out to the various projects in progress, or Sanofi, which has written a playbook of service references to be applied to its various sites.

This helps to unite the group and spread the employer brand. Employees who have to travel to different sites will find a familiar working environment, which reinforces the sense of belonging and collective performance.

Include user experience din the integration process

It is essential to include two moments in thee integration process: firstly, to remind them of the ambition and the reason why we are living together in this building, and secondly to explain to them the how, the services they will be able to find, the good uses of the facilities. explain the how, the services they'll find and how to use the various spaces.

That's a lot of information for a first day, this appropriation must be staggered, as it is when you're moving in: add abuddy"to to help the new employee first discover his or her immediate working environment: team territoryteam territory, and and, of course, the restaurant..

To promote good habits, a session on the rules of life could be useful.At Parella, every 6 months, we hold a workshop on the rules of life.La Bonne Bulle© to share uses to newcomers.
Then we'll take the new employee to discover the building's building, for for example a visit to a sports class.

Time for appropriation

Lhe eye for detail

In a development project, many ideas are put forward by project teams, debated and adjustedes, finally implemented ... but who remembers the care taken to the choice of layout?

Yet it's this detail that I feel is important to highlight and to remember - or to discover for newcomers and visitors alike.

I found interesting the little explanatory labels that Sanofi has been able to put up in its its Maison: indicating that a particular acoustic has been eco-made from recycled materials, and its contribution to workspace comfort, or that the presence of planted areas promotes the well-being of employeesand that they have have been designeds so that that 65% of employees have a direct view of the vegetation.

The future every day

When we ask workplace managers about the future of the office, they tell us that they are living the future on a daily basis, constantly listening to new user needs and adapting and testing their service offering accordingly.

We can lay the foundations for continuous improvement on 3 principles:

- Sponsoring / Reporting: Setting objectives and using KPIs in line with corporate strategy (space occupancy, employee satisfaction, service use, etc.).

- Transversality: Include all contributors to the user experience (Work Environment, IT, HR, Com) in a monitoring committee, and define management processes to ensure its reliability.

- Community animation: Establish a dialogue with employees and managers, based on regular workshops and surveys, to consolidate areas for improvement and identify new expectations.

Flexibility in your rental commitments

Posted on August 6, 2024June 4, 2026 by charlotte

Make Your Lease Terms More Flexible: 5 Tips to Help You Do It.

Flexibility is a growing need for companies, in a changing economic and social context.

August 6, 2024

Do you know how much m² will be needed to support your growth in 3, 6 or 9 years' time?

As your business evolves, so will your needs. Flexibility in your lease commitments is essential to ensure that they don't prove restrictive over time.

Here are 5 tips to help you add flexibility to your leases.

Rent too big and sublet your surplus while you grow

To make your rental commitments more flexible, we recommend over-letting and subletting.
Some companies choose to take on larger surface areas than they need from the outset, and sublet the surplus.

There are several reasons for this:

- While subletting can represent a financial risk, this is limited in areas with low vacancy rates (Paris Centre, Paris QCA, etc.).

- This option enables you to absorb your growth over time by limiting the rental charge to the surface area you need.

- In in-demand and competitive rental sectors, taking on large surface areas can help your bid, and prevent the landlord from dividing up the building.

- If you opt for an entire building, which you can dispose of independently, you'll gain in ease of management. You'll also be able to create synergies that will boost your internal innovation by welcoming like-minded companies onto your premises, as in the case of corpoworking.

For every context, the right solution

We helped one of our customers, a major player in the tech sector, to lease a 7,000 m2 building in the CBD.
Their initial requirement was for 5,500 m2, so to position themselves in the face of strong competition for the premises that best met their needs, we negotiated a clause allowing them to sublet up to 40% to third-party companies without prior approval from the lessor, enabling them to adjust their space requirements.
Our customer chose to take the risk of subletting, a risk that paid off.

Add an additional exit option to the usual 3/6/9 maturities

Lease deadlines are not always adapted to your company's strategic stages.
To limit constraints and be able to move without delay, it is possible to negotiate one or more exit options in your lease, in addition to the usual deadlines (3, 6 and 9 years).

Depending on the geographical sector and the balance of power between lessors and lessees, a departure indemnity is usually requested. It is generally calculated in proportion to the support measures obtained at the start of the lease. It is therefore essential to negotiate them well.
You can also think in terms of flex ready, i.e. right from the start of your construction phase, design layouts to facilitate the implementation of a flex office organization, which can be deployed during the life of the lease without any additional work. In the current context, our customers are increasingly demanding this type of support.

Negotiate the possibility of surrendering or taking over additional m² during the lease term

During the term of your lease, it's a good idea to be able to increase or restore floor space in the event of a sharp change in your workforce and your requirements.

Including the possibility of reducing your m² between two terms can give you real flexibility.

In the event of unexpected growth, we recommend that you include a preferential right on floor space that becomes available in the building. This will give you priority over other applicants from outside the building.

For every context, the right solution

To support several of our customers (industry and investment funds) with medium-term external growth plans, we included a preferential right in the negotiations.
This gave them the possibility, during the lease term, of taking on additional floor space within their property complex, in the event of a third party vacating it.

For a shorter commitment, opt for derogatory leases or
subleases.

If the minimum firm term of a standard
lease (3 years) seems too long, there are other solutions that offer a shorter commitment.

Overriding leases or subleases are sometimes offered for 1 or 2 years. We recommend that you consider these options.

But beware: fitting out premises so that you can work in good conditions comes at a cost, and this must be taken into account in relation to the short commitment period.

For every context, the right solution

We recently assisted one of our customers in the consultancy sector with the transfer of one of their group's activities. To enable the entity concerned to take the time to build its new corporate strategy and anticipate its longer-term growth needs, the option of a 2-year sublease in plug-and-play premises was chosen after comparing the various possibilities.

To make your rental commitments even more flexible, opt for coworking.

If our previous tips don't give you enough flexibility, coworking is an option to consider.
By freeing yourself from design-build periods, you can speed up your move-in.

Once you're in the premises, flexibility works both ways:

- If your needs are shrinking, it's possible to free them up with short notice (usually 1 month). If you're expanding, it's easy to take on more workstations or space on the site.

- If, on the other hand, you're expanding, it's easy to take on more workstations or space on the site.

Of course, this flexibility comes at a cost, as coworking spaces are more expensive than traditional office leases over the long term.

For every context, the right solution

When the timing is tight, this option can be a real advantage. This was the case for one of our customers whose head office was spread over two buildings. As one of the sites had to be evicted by its owner, it became urgent to relocate the teams quickly.
As one of the sites had to be evicted by its owner, a deadline issue required rapid repositioning. We advised our client on a suitable co-working solution, while we supported the group in defining and implementing its new reunified headquarters project.

Key figures in brief

In the 1st quarter of 2022, coworking operators were back in the driving seat (5-digit numbers or more).

10%

of all volumes placed in the capital

14%

in the Paris Central Business District (CBD)

of leased space in this sector

Recycled & made-to-measure design

Posted on August 5, 2024June 4, 2026 by charlotte

"Recycled & Custom" Design: A Trend to Watch!

Fortunately, there are craftsmen today to meet these expectations, and we met one of them.

August 5, 2024

Thomas Bouzanquet is passionate about reusing materials, which he works on with love and conviction.

For the past 8 years, this entrepreneur has been offering his customers an alternative, competitive approach that enables them to contribute to protecting the environment.

Product launches, scenography, festivals, layout or the creation of personalized iconic objects - whatever the request, he will meet it by reusing materials, shaping them as he sees fit.

Groupe Rocher project by Parella

3D rendering by Parella

Reusing materials: a question of balance

Still relatively unknown, the reuse of materials is emerging as awareness grows.

In the CSR movement, it brings real creative possibilities compatible with ERP standards.

Whether restoring or creating new parts, Thomas will maximize reuse. But beware, he has to juggle with the customer's financial constraints and timetable requirements.

"It's important to offer solutions that strike the right balance between budget, responsiveness and low carbon footprint."
says Thomas.

Parella Group visit to Le Pavé© plant

Creating with the best eco-responsible materials

Thomas works step by step, hand in hand with his customer.

The first step is to fully understand the customer's needs, and in particular the object's use. Then comes the sourcing of the material and its possibilities, durability and quality.

Other practical aspects, such as lead times or technical standardization constraints, can influence the design.

The project is conceived in co-construction with the customer, from the sourcing of raw materials to production.

The specialties of Thomas and his team

"Each creation is unique! We design our projects around materials. Sourcing them is crucial to identifying materials that offer the optimum quality for reuse.

We have developed our own material pools, as well as joinery and metalwork workshops that enable us to be reactive without compromising on quality."

Tailor-made design

To inspire and create unique atmospheres, some companies have opted for upcycling.

This is the case of Groupe Rocher, a company with a mission, which recently refurbished its premises.
Among the iconic objects:

- La Balise Nautique
Like a unifying lighthouse, the beacon is the anchor of the Petit Bateau brand's convivial space." Sourcing quickly identified that restoring a beacon would be incompatible with the constraints of the building, as the weight was too great.

So, with the Parella team, we decided on a made-to-measure solution made entirely from recycled materials."

- Les banquettes barques
The materials were sourced locally. Restoration and transformation work was carried out to meet the comfort objectives.
We also share some ideas to inspire you:

fr

The Nautical Beacon at Groupe Rocher by Parella

Groupe Rocher's Banquettes Barques by Parella

Her advice on reuse?

- Favoring a local source

Thomas points out that the volume of reusable materials is diversified locally, so it would be a shame to favor a distant source.

For Groupe Rocher, an audit was carried out to identify materials that could be reused locally. This has considerably reduced the environmental impact.

- Take the time to co-construct

Working, designing and manufacturing made-to-measure objects implies a change in working habits to ensure follow-up and co-construction throughout the project."

We don't choose materials from a catalog. Instead, we're involved in the technical decision-making process throughout the production process. This implies co-construction. Made-to-measure is not something you find on the shelf.

It requires adaptability and taking the time to source.
We work on all types of project, new and recycled materials, for all types of sector: luxury, catering, festivals.

To minimize the environmental impact of our creations, we seek, wherever possible, to maximize the use of recycled materials."
- Thomas Bouzanquet

Global Design

Posted on August 2, 2024June 4, 2026 by damien

Global Design: The Era of Personalization by Parella

"Our mission: to reveal and distill the extra soul emanating from your brand, your DNA and your corporate culture in your living and working spaces."

August 2, 2024

Our global approach enables us to support brands in the deployment of their identity throughout their real estate project.

Photo of Thibault Poirier

At Samsung

Nicolas Flachot

Global Design Director

The creation of a multi-crea

In March 2023, Parella will regroup its creative teams and create the "Global Design" division.

A strategic ambition to respond to the evolution of its market. Increasingly involved in real estate projects, CEOs, HR Directors and Transformation Directors need to tell the story of their brand, their culture, and embody it within their new spaces.Companies are now looking for much more than functional, efficient workspaces.

Driven by Parella's raison d'être, "more than offices...", Global Design imagines ultra-personalized living spaces where people work. Their all-encompassing approach enables them to support brands in the deployment of their identity throughout their real estate projects.

Comprising a multidisciplinary team, the Global Design division brings together 22 talents:

Architectes Dplg . Interior designers . Space-planners . Decorators . Graphic designers . Visual artists . Object Designers . Motion Designers . Sound Designers . Filmmakers . Web & App Designers . Web Developers...

the genesis of Global Design at Parella

For several years now, companies have been going through a period of profound transformation. This transformation began before the Covid pandemic, was exacerbated during the pandemic and then accelerated sharply afterwards.

Companies must respond to new questions and new societal challenges, such as their social and environmental responsibilities, the return to the office, the workplace experience, the meaning given to each individual in the exercise of their professional activity, the hybridization of work, flex-office, their differentiation...

More than ever, companies need to assert their identity, their raison d'être, and make their offices a new attractive land where it's a pleasure to come, to exchange and to collaborate. The office must embody the company and support the identity, personality and expression of the brand and its products. The company headquarters naturally becomes an additional communication medium. Brands become firmly anchored in living and working spaces.We strongly believe in the power of place, and one of our jobs is to make it a showcase for the brand.

To better respond to this challenge, we decided to bring together Parella's creative teams who were already working on the conception (Design) and personalization (Image & Style) of spaces, in order to offer our customers a unique and comprehensive approach, from the outset and throughout all phases of their real estate project. We work on everything from storytelling and branding to communication media and, of course, the architecture and personalization of spaces.

The Global Design approach

It enables us to imagine, design, create and tell the story of ultra-personalized places that are totally in line with our customers' brands. Our other asset, when it comes to informing and engaging our customers' employees, is our ability to produce all kinds of communication media, for internal and external use, such as podcasts, videos, newsletters, websites, welcome booklets... all in total harmony with our customers' identities.

Offices: a place to live, a place to work

Since the advent of hybrid working and the widespread adoption of telecommuting, people no longer come to the office simply to work; it must become a landmark, an anchor, and an opportunity to socialize more.

Premises must encourage encounters, exchanges and creativity, facilitate collaboration, reinforce a sense of belonging and pride, and provide well-being for its residents.It's a place to come together, to feel part of a meaningful collective adventure... it becomes a place to live, much more than a simple work tool.

from standard to customized

Our first job is to understand the brands we work for, and then to translate their identities within the spaces. Singularity is one of our core values. Our ambition is to tell stories, to create unique, made-to-measure universes and ambiences, with an artisanal and artistic approach.

We pay particular attention to the selection of decorative objects. Some are found at antique fairs, while others are specifically created by artists or craftsmen.

For the Rémy Cointreau Group headquarters, for example, we combined objects from the heritage of the Group's brands with decorative items. The Remy Cointreau Foundation completed the personalization of the premises with a selection of works by artisans it represents.

For Groupe Rocher, we found hundreds of second-hand objects to meet the company's CSR requirements, had a 2.50 m-high custom-made sea beacon modeled and manufactured, and created recycled wood huts for each of the village squares (informal spaces 80 to 100m long).

The impact of Global Design on employer branding

There is indeed an employer brand issue at stake. In fact, the figures from our latest barometer on the evolution of work modes and spaces confirm this: 75% of employees working in offices believe that the premises contribute to their desire to stay with the company, and for 71%, they are an important or decisive criterion for choosing their future company.

If a company wants its employees to identify with its brand and feel committed to it, they need to be immersed in its corporate culture, its products, its colors, every time they come to the office.

Space is also a competitive advantage for 56% of company managers.

In addition to employees, we also need to think about visitors, suppliers, partners and customers.It's all about the overall storytelling of the brand.

We help companies to make their employees' daily lives more pleasant, to attract talent and retain their best people.

This requires listening to the customer

Undoubtedly, yes. This requires a genuine ability to listen to the customer on the one hand, and time on the other. It's essential to understand the customer, its history, its brand, its culture, its identity, its products, but also its ambitions and projects.

We strive to co-construct with our customers, as systematically as possible in a collaborative and participative approach with managers and employees alike.

Whenever possible, we take the time to immerse ourselves in the customer's world. For example, we went to La Gacilly for Groupe Rocher, and spent time at the various addresses of Groupe Rémy Cointreau before embarking on the design of the spaces.

Offices for your talents

Posted on July 31, 2024June 4, 2026 by charlotte

Office space for your talent: A KEY TO RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

Recruiting and retaining talent are key HR challenges.

July 31, 2024

The job market is tight, and talent is demanding.
They have a choice, and their expectations are changing. All talent management processes generate significant costs for companies.

Provalliance project by Parella

Recruitment, training, integration...

What levers can companies use to face up to this challenge?

75%

of employees say that the layout of their work space plays a key role in their desire to stay with the company.

58%

of employees consider a company's premises to be an important criterion when choosing a job. (Barometer Parella Group x CSA 2022).

A solution for every situation

At Rémy Cointreau, the new head office has been designed to facilitate the introduction of new ways of working. The project was co-constructed with employees. We set up various participative workshops for each stage of the project: study of specific needs, design of the plans, drafting of the life rules charter.

Offices as a performance driver

Offices are a performance driver when they meet business needs. Indeed, when workspaces are designed with business uses in mind, they meet the needs of employees. Hence the importance of dimensioning spaces and their equipment at the design stage: number of workstations, types of seating (high, low, armchairs, benches), standing tables, meeting rooms of different sizes...

In the age of telecommuting, corporate offices are first and foremost a place for socializing. They are the foundation of collaboration and collective intelligence. Thus, meeting rooms equipped for hybrid exchange between present and remote employees, and brainstorming rooms designed to encourage creativity and collaboration, have become essential.

The right size of office space and the degree of partitioning are also key performance drivers. It provides good working conditions and encourages serendipity.

Interview Business Immo

Posted on June 12, 2024June 4, 2026 by Sixtine Epitalon

Interview Business Immo

"We are not subject to real estate market cycles.

June 12, 2024

Parella has positioned the end-user at the heart of its business model.

Through its three divisions - Real Estate Services, Workspace and People & Transformation - the 200-strong company intends to pursue its international expansion over the coming years.

Michael Kaplan and Olivier Neuman, two of the company's partners, shed some light on the subject.

Olivier Neuman

Associate

Michael Kaplan

Associate

"This positioning enables us to address most corporate real estate issues without any conflict of interest. Today, 70% of our customers are tenants, while the remaining 30% are owner-users. Over the years, we have built up our expertise in three main areas.

Michael Kaplan, Partner

What is Parella's current position?

Michael Kaplan /

First of all, we're celebrating our 15th anniversary this year, which is no mean feat. Since our creation, we have remained true to our credo: to advise only the end-user. This is what all our associates have in common. Even though we come from a variety of backgrounds (architect, broker, management consultant, ex-lawyer, etc.), what we have in common is that we have all worked for international brokers, and that in the end, we have chosen our camp - that of the end-user.

This positioning enables us to support most corporate real estate issues without any conflict of interest. Today, 70% of our customers are tenants, while the remaining 30% are owner-users. Over the years, we have built up our expertise around three main "universes of expertise".

Olivier Neuman /

To provide real added value to a real estate project, we need to have a 360° vision, so that our multi-disciplinary teams can work together. This is our top priority.

Could you explain these 3 "business worlds" to us?

Michael Kaplan /

There's the Real Estate Services division, which covers not only real estate appraisal, but also real estate strategy and assistance with property searches and transactions: taking on leases, renegotiating leases, selling and buying real estate assets, CPI, Vefa, Befa.

Olivier Neuman /

In 2023, this real estate consultancy division had its best year since our creation! In the Île-de-France region, we are close to 80,000 sq.m. of space transacted by our end-user customers.

While the macroeconomic context is not favorable...

Olivier Neuman /

We are not subject to real estate market cycles. Whether they are growing or not, our customers are always faced with real estate choices and challenges: renegotiating a lease, relocating, downsizing or upsizing, buying a site, selling it, upgrading technical equipment, adopting new ways of working... Parella Group provides solutions to a wide variety of issues.

Michael Kaplan /

Our business is not subject to the dynamics of any particular real estate sub-market. Whether our customers position themselves in La Défense or the center of Paris, it makes no difference to our teams, who are not geographically sectorized and do not engage in rental marketing.

Rising interest rates, which have a major impact on investment volumes, do not affect us, as we do not engage in capital marketing. On the other hand, as Olivier says, our end-user customers always have issues to deal with, such as lease expiry dates drawing nearer, changes in headcount that have an upward or downward impact on floor space requirements, and discussions on the sharing of individual workstations, etc.

What are your customers' expectations today?

Olivier Neuman /

Most of our customers are redefining their post-Covid real estate strategy to take account of the impact of teleworking. In particular, they are looking at the right mix of flex office options to be implemented, the steps to be taken to strengthen collaboration and cohesion within their teams, the impact of digital technology on physical and digital workspaces, and their location and attractiveness.

Overall, they are therefore moving towards a reduction in floor space for the same number of employees. The creation of collaborative spaces is another strong trend. It's a case-by-case approach. We're very agile.

What are your other two "universes"?

Michael Kaplan /

There's the Workspace division, in which you'll find an interior design studio, a technical design office for all trades, which we've beefed up enormously in recent years, and a project management team for construction and interior design projects. This division is often involved in the continuity of a project in the real estate division, but also in stand-alone assignments. Mainly for offices, but increasingly for retail and hotel-restaurant projects.

We also act as project manager, as in the case of Total Energies' The Link tower in La Défense, or as prime contractor or general contractor for design & build, as in the case of Samsung's new headquarters in Saint-Ouen.

The People & Transformation team is made up of consultants from management consultancies and the transformation departments of major groups.

In a context where projects are increasingly focused on people and collective action, this team supports change, facilitates social dialogue and deploys original, high-impact communication tools. Listening, co-creation, communication, onboarding, gamification, training and coaching hold no secrets for them.

How much of your business comes from the Paris region?

Michael Kaplan /

In France, we generate 70% of our business in the Île-de-France region and 30% in the rest of the country. The proportion of regional business is growing steadily. Internationally, around ten years ago we created a global network with partners sharing the same 100% user-dedicated positioning: Exis Global.

Since 2019, with the support of our financial partner (the Qualium Investissement investment fund), we have bought out a number of our European partners. As a result, we now have our own offices in Madrid, Milan, Berlin, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, London and Brussels.

How does Publicis' leasehold interest in Gecina's Mondo illustrate your business model?

Michael Kaplan /

Publicis was looking for a consultancy that was both expert and objective, able to mobilize in a short space of time and implement its recommendations.

Olivier Neuman /

Publicis' strategic thinking had already begun before we started working together. The company was planning to consolidate several sites and was looking for a new building adapted to the deployment of new ways of working; a building that would be more central and more in line with its environmental strategy. We helped Publicis with a multi-dimensional analysis of different buildings, scenario modeling and negotiations.

For Mondo, in the 17th arrondissement of Paris, we carried out spatial and technical analyses, studied the overall cost of the operation and negotiated all the rental conditions with Gecina. Today, we are continuing to work with Publicis on the Mondo development.

What are Parella Group's objectives for the coming years?

Michael Kaplan /

We want to continue our internationalization - which means strengthening our range of businesses in certain countries. We want to bring new associates on board. We want to continue to grow while remaining agile, listening to our customers' expectations and challenges, because that's the key to our business.

© Business Immo for the writing of the article.

THE UNYCK HOUSE

Posted on May 24, 2024June 4, 2026 by Sixtine Epitalon

LA MAISON UNYCK: A New Home for Executives.

A few weeks ago, Maison Unyck opened its doors on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré to welcome its community of leaders.

May 24, 2024

On the 8th floor, with views over the rooftops of Paris, these spaces invite you to let go and get inspired.

"Managers, never alone again".

Living spaces imagined, designed and built by Parella to embody the Unyck promise: "Managers, never alone again".

When you walk through the doors of Maison Unyck, you might think you were in an apartment. Yet this is where the most beautiful transformations take place. Because Unyck is not a traditional consulting firm, the company wanted to mark this break with the past in its premises.

In order to offer an environment conducive to exchange and confidence, the layout has been designed to make customers feel at home.

To achieve this, Unyck has adopted the codes of "as at home". No offices as we know them, but an apartment rich in warm, antique objects.

A dining table where we can discuss the most strategic subjects over tea, a library where everyone can help themselves, becoming a player in the place... Proximity is the key word. Customers feel at home at Unyck.

Conclusion

Creating the right conditions for successful support requires a place where change can take place. The Maison Unyck was designed with this in mind.

Active Design

Posted on May 6, 2024June 4, 2026 by Sixtine Epitalon

Active Design: Environment, Health, or Enjoyment: How Does Active Design Engage Employees?

In the run-up to the Olympic Games, some of our customers are wondering about the benefits of Active Design in their workspaces, a method that encourages people to act naturally.

May 6, 2024

While this practice has been commonplace on our streets for some years now, as a way of combating sedentary lifestyles, it is now taking root on the premises of some companies.

Can it, beyond mobility, move the lines and instill new, more virtuous practices?

For the environment, health or just for fun, how can premises help to carry the environmental commitments, QWL or values of organizations, while taking care of their employees?

Eric Vermande, Image and Style Director and Diane Mendes, People & Transformation Manager, took an interest in the subject.

Éric Vermande

Image & Style Director

Diane Mendes

People & Transformation Manager

Active Design, the path to new uses (at full speed)

Who hasn't preferred to climb the stairs in the metro rather than take the escalator, seduced by a playful, colorful or interactive challenge? These messages of calories burned, rewarding or educational, even if they make us smile, urge us to act.

Active Design will be able to accompany companies' key messages on a day-to-day basis. It can help all organizations in their practices. CSR implementation, for example. Active Design can help in this direction.

Beyond this, we can imagine pathways contributing to well-being (QCVT), instilling values (employer branding), or new ways of working (flex-office). Active Design is really about the natural adoption of practices whatever they may be.

To combat sedentary lifestyles, Active Design has mainly developed around solutions encouraging sport. However, although athletics tracks are appearing in corridors, their role is to create routes, designed to activate employees in a natural way.

However, the aim is not to get them to run around in suits and arrive at meetings with wet shirts. Physical activity is one of the levers, but not the only one. Brain activity is just as important.

Induce to act, from path to experience, everything has to be created

The notion of a journey is important to create an experience and initiate new habits.

This journey must be self-supporting and desirable.

Every user must be able to use it at any time of day, without explanation.

Everything is done to induce and create an incentive environment that will become part of everyday life. The message is positive, educational, consistent with values and rewarding for those who follow it.

Create a new playground where employees can play together

We start with values and semantics. We move away from calorie counting to play with employees, projecting them into a dynamic.

Graphic design is a real lever : explicit or implicit, it creates flows. Paths with active and directional phases... Beyond physical exertion, the important thing is to encourage contact with as many people as possible.

Posters, signage, frescoes, hijacking of objects, all avenues can be explored: following a blue thread that guides towards activities, for example. Or the misappropriation of objects, where you don't see the same message depending on how you're positioned (sitting, standing), to encourage open-mindedness.
It's also important to work on branding to create a sense of belonging.

While the use of color helps to create a desire for discovery, the ideal is to create itineraries that integrate naturally into the space.

Induce a perennial positioning as well as a more ephemeral perception of events.

Steps to long-term commitment

A habit is created after 21 days. In addition, studies carried out by cities show the importance of thinking in terms of evolutionary paths, to avoid abandoning the practice once the discovery phase is over.

- Step 1: Understanding the objectives and challenges. The first step is to identify the objectives. You don't do active design for active design's sake. Are we creating one or more pathways? Are we going to act on CSR, values, QWL?

- Step 2: Analysis of uses and employee needs. We need to adapt to the audience and the corporate culture in order to raise awareness as effectively as possible.

This requires an understanding of what affects them. In the same way as for an employee journey, we're going to look at habits. As experts in space planning, the Parella Group teams analyze the sequencing of the day, needs and movements. This enables us to create active, directional phases. It's important to think things through carefully, to avoid over-solicitation, which would be counter-productive.

But also perhaps to identify those uses which could be diverted, and to give meaning to them, by involving employees in dynamic, unifying and playful workshops.

- Step 3: Phase of use and evolution. Experimentation could be a first step to understanding the maturity peak and seeing how employees react.

Depending on the challenges and needs detected, managerial support will enable employees to allow themselves more playful moments. The course can also be punctuated with activities (sports coaching, for example).

It is also possible to bring the courses to life in line with important events for the company.

We can also imagine a change of color for Breast Cancer Week. Or a launch with the Olympic Games.

Scalable for lasting change

It must be easy and inexpensive to set up and take down courses, so as to be able to offer new experiences that adapt to the different maturity levels of users.

Relying on change management specialists enables us to create evolving courses that anchor change in the corporate world over the long term.

Olympics & Paralympics: Inspiration. Memories and the Lessons They Teach

You may also like...

The Lingering Impact of a Real Estate Project: An Important Issue.

You may also like...

Make Your Lease Terms More Flexible: 5 Tips to Help You Do It.

For every context, the right solution

For every context, the right solution

For every context, the right solution

For every context, the right solution

Key figures in brief

You may also like...

"Recycled & Custom" Design: A Trend to Watch!

The specialties of Thomas and his team

You may also like...

Global Design: The Era of Personalization by Parella

The Global Design approach

You may also like...

Office space for your talent: A KEY TO RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

Recruitment, training, integration...

A solution for every situation

You may also like...

Interview Business Immo

You may also like...

LA MAISON UNYCK: A New Home for Executives.

Conclusion

You may also like...

Active Design: Environment, Health, or Enjoyment: How Does Active Design Engage Employees?

Scalable for lasting change

You may also like...

More than offices...

Address

OFFICE PAPERS

THANK YOU