The workplace revolution

Office bespoke art has become a key focus in recent years, with numerous studies underscoring the influence of colour and art on productivity, as well as the broader attractiveness of a company. The design of office spaces and furnishings is increasingly linked to the image a company projects to both its employees and visitors. Muzéo fosters employee well-being by offering bespoke art concepts that incorporate art, particularly by involving employees in the decision-making process and the final design of their office spaces. This collaborative approach cultivates a sense of ownership and connection, aligning the workspace with both aesthetic and functional objectives.

Muzéo provides companies with a comprehensive bespoke art solution, beginning with an in-depth consultancy phase within the agency. During this phase, Muzéo identifies the unique challenges and needs of each client and office, focusing on objectives such as:

Increasing occupancy rates by encouraging employees to return to the office

Uniting and retaining existing teams

Strengthening the employer brand to attract future talent

Reinforcing social connections by creating meeting spaces and opportunities for exchange

Drawing from these insights, Muzéo creates a tailored artistic concept, enriched by a compelling narrative. The creative team then oversees the implementation of all artistic elements for the overall design. This encompasses a curated selection of artworks (paintings, sculptures, etc.), objects, murals, glazing, signage, and acoustics. Each functional aspect of the office is transformed into an opportunity for artistic expression, supporting the company and its space’s unique identity.

Simultaneously, the sales team collaborates with the client to establish a budget. Muzéo then enlists the Atelier to produce and install the pieces on-site. A dedicated project manager ensures that each project is meticulously handled, providing clients with personalised follow-up and a single point of contact throughout the entire process.

According to data from the Observatoire de l'Immobilier Durable, employee well-being plays an essential role in preserving human capital and optimising a company's productivity. This importance has recently been underlined by the emergence of WELL certification, a new international standard for the workplace. This accreditation identifies the fundamental criteria for improving the well-being of employees within companies, such as air, water and light quality, physical activity, nutrition, psychological well-being and comfort. It also highlights the promotion of beauty and art, as well as aesthetic interior fittings in workspaces, such as wall decoration, signage and glazing.

Companies often forget that art, culture and, more generally, corporate decoration have a positive influence on the value, productivity and well-being of their employees.

In fact, the quality and aesthetics of interior design have a direct influence on how employees perceive their premises, which has a significant impact on their well-being and, by extension, their productivity. Individuals working in offices that value art and design are around 15% more productive and make fewer mistakes. Studies in psychology also confirm that the presence of art within a company has a positive effect on work, reducing stress and the number of sick days for employees. Finally, employees who have the opportunity to choose the art and decoration in their company are 30% more productive and experience fewer health problems. 

In today's environment, employees are looking for innovative experiences that match their personality, interests and fulfilment in the workplace. Indeed, 9 out of 10 employees aspire to offices that encourage regeneration and inspiration. JLL's advice is to move the company into the realm of emotion, where boldness and wonder can flourish. We need to surprise the occupants of the space, vary the atmosphere according to the work environment, introduce the ephemeral and renew spaces to allow minds to regenerate and employees' creativity to express itself. 60.8% of employees think that artistic content stimulates their creativity in the office.

In 2020, Altarea Cogedim's head office has established itself as an outstanding example. The group has made a point of creating a working environment imbued with a captivating narrative, focused on the city and the human aspect. Muzéo was integrated into the architectural project drawn up by the Wilmotte agency, contributing to a harmonious decor throughout all the spaces. The most striking memory remains in the dressing of the 150 meeting rooms, each adorned with customised cultural content, carefully selected for the occupants. 

Another project, although more confidential, proved just as demanding: the creation, in 2023, of the portrait gallery of the Presidents of the 5th Republic for the Palais de l'Alma. At the request of the Presidency, we designed bespoke frames for each of the French Presidents, from General De Gaulle to Emmanuel Macron. This astonishing and prestigious gallery reflects all the skills of our Atelier.

The professional landscape has undergone a significant transformation with the advent of the COVID, profoundly altering the uses and expectations associated with workspaces. This evolution, which is already underway, will continue to shape working environments in the years to come. Teleworking has become the unavoidable norm, raising a host of questions about the relevance of being in the office, building team loyalty and forging social links within the company. 

Decision-makers will continue to ask themselves what answers they can come up with, and what the best levers are for getting the most out of their buildings and spaces. We will undoubtedly be moving towards smaller, hybrid spaces that can adapt to the ever-changing needs of employees. To attract and retain employees, the notion of occupier services will become essential. The influence of the hotel industry will be increasingly pronounced, and a new world will emerge, combining work, living and experience.

Occupants will not just be ‘customers’, they will also be the actors in their workspace. The collaborative aspect will become increasingly important, and employees will have to be involved in the design and life of their ecosystem. Office design will play a major role in this development, combining the decorative codes of the hotel industry with team involvement and corporate values.