Delivering a scalable workplace standard across two cities

One brief, two contexts

Sage identified Bordeaux and Metz as key locations in the ongoing refresh of its workplaces in France. While the buildings differed in age and scale, both projects were shaped by a consistent vision brought to life differently in each city.

The ambition was to create brand-led workplaces that truly live and breathe the Sage identity, delivering a coherent experience globally. At the same time, each space was designed to be clear, functional and supportive of everyday work, responding thoughtfully to local workstyles.

Nicci Bird, Director of Brand Experience, explains that, “Our brand experience strategy shaped the brief by focusing on how people connect with brands, creating moments, memories, and building trust and loyalty. It recognises brand and employee experience as fundamental drivers of business performance.”

Discussing the company’s approach to its new space, VP of Places, Neil Usher, commented, “We provide fantastic places for our colleagues to work, grow and connect. We believe that our workplaces make a significant contribution to the effectiveness of individuals, teams and the organisation, and aim to ensure each is of a world-class standard.”

The workplace standards focus on characteristics such as clarity, comfort and reliability, ensuring continuity of experience regardless of location.

A coordinated delivery model

An integrated design and build approach combined both projects into a single delivery package. Shared stakeholders, specifications and aligned programmes supported delivery across both locations. Regular review sessions in our London studio supported collaboration with UK-based stakeholders, allowing decisions to be tested, refined and agreed across both projects at the same time.

Running the projects in parallel also created a continuous feedback loop. Lessons from one location informed decisions in the other. This helped maintain control and consistency while responding to the specific demands of each building. For Sage, this resulted in greater cost certainty, faster decision-making and a more efficient route to delivery across both locations.

A consistent, people-first workplace standard

Both workplaces follow a clear and scalable set of standards. Layout principles, furniture specifications and technology are aligned across both sites. The approach creates familiarity for teams and reduces friction for people moving between offices.

Reflecting how Sage teams operate, fixed desk neighbourhoods provide a reliable base for focused activity, supported by a clear sequence of collaboration spaces. This includes two-person pods, “solve” rooms and touchdown areas that support different ways of working.

Florrie Chow, Head of Workplace Design at Sage, commented, “When we think about the space, we work with the architecture to create a strong connection with the building itself. We consider the entry moment, the centre of gravity, and what will make our colleagues genuinely want to come to work, and proudly call this their new home.”

Spatial decisions reinforce this people-first approach. Soft, continuous forms flow through circulation routes, joinery and café spaces, mirroring the natural rhythms of human movement. When the body feels gently guided rather than directed, there is a sense of ease that settles in. In this calmer state, creativity has more room to surface, and people are better able to perform at their best.

In both locations, cafés are positioned as the primary arrival space. Their east-facing location takes advantage of sunrise and sets a positive tone for the day.

Bordeaux: a more connected location

In Bordeaux, Sage relocated from an out-of-town office near the airport to a new development in Bègles overlooking the River Garonne. The move improves access to transport and amenities while providing a more connected and contemporary workplace setting.

A 1,600 sq ft terrace extends directly from the café, allowing the social space to flow outdoors. Furnished with lounge seating, shading and brand references, the terrace supports informal meetings and everyday working, making use of Bordeaux’s mild climate and riverfront location.

Metz: upgrading a long-term workplace

In Metz, the project focused on upgrading a long-term workplace and enhancing the character of the existing building. Operations were consolidated onto the upper floors, creating a more efficient footprint while retaining the building’s dramatic architectural features.

The original curved roofline, previously concealed by a suspended ceiling, was reinstated to restore volume and openness to the workspace. A perforated acoustic ceiling improves sound control while maintaining the expressive geometry of the space.

We reimagined the entry sequence into the floorplate, creating a stronger visual and spatial connection between the atrium stair and the office, allowing daylight to penetrate deeper into the workspace. Opening up the glass atrium strengthens the architectural connectivity, drawing the eye through the building and enhancing the sense of arrival.

Adjacent to the office entrance, a double-height volume has been transformed into a touchdown zone, anchored by a bespoke island full of greenery that provides a practical and adaptable base for colleagues transitioning between focused desk work and external meetings.

Scaling the approach in Paris

Our work with Sage continues in Paris at the Hekla Tower, where the client is taking space in a building we already know well. Having delivered the first interior fit-out within the tower, we began the project with a clear understanding of its systems, logistics and approval processes.

Building on the experience gained in Bordeaux and Metz, the Paris workplace scales the same design logic to a larger floorplate, maintaining consistency while responding to a new context. This familiarity allows the team to move quickly and confidently, reinforcing our role as a trusted design and delivery partner as Sage continues to develop its workplace portfolio.

A repeatable model for workplace portfolios

For organisations managing multiple sites, the Bordeaux and Metz projects show how clear workplace standards can support consistency across different buildings and locations.

By combining a shared design language with an integrated delivery model, we support organisations in achieving reliable quality across their portfolios.