DUVAL GROUP HEADQUARTERS - MANDEL AVENUE

In 2019, Franklin Azzi was commissioned by the Duval Group to renovate two historic buildings of different typologies as well as a protected garden at 45 avenue George Mandel.

Franklin Azzi Architecture has been inspired by the history of the site to propose the most accurate and respectful intervention possible. The first building, overlooking Rue du Pasteur Marc Boegner and Avenue Mandel, is a classically inspired mansion built in 1889 by Alfred Feine for the Countess of France. The second building, on Rue Scheffer, was built in 1918. Presenting all the characteristics of the inter-war period architecture, it seems to have been conceived without any concern for integration with the existing. The whole site was thus characterized by the confrontation of two architectural styles diametrically opposed. The two buildings were linked together but had different floor levels.

The agency proposed a unifying architectural intervention for the future headquarters of the company, aligned with the identity, values and new uses of the Duval Group. Integrating all the issues of the family business, the agency worked on all aspects of this global project, from the architectural shell to the interior design and the selection of furniture.

The original architecture of the mansion lends itself particularly well with the idea of a "Maison Duval" as a gathering point for all the group's employees and partners. In order to embody this new centrality, it was necessary to find a global coherence by, first, clearing the building of all the secondary works resulting from the modifications carried out since the 20th century until today. Once the soul of the site had been restored and enhanced, the agency defined spaces adapted to the needs of each of the group's users - residents, nomads, members of the management team and external contributors. In order to create a continuity between all the floors, the agency designed "intelligent" furniture custom-made in a single materiality to accommodate the support functions (photocopying, tea room, lockers, etc.) and create landmarks.

The three values that guided this project, agility, high standards and creativity, are found in these identifiable elements and are representative of Franklin Azzi’s global approach: to group together in a space or an object several functions - aesthetic, usage and technical.