Characterized by their elegant limestone façades, wrought-iron balconies, and iconic zinc roofs, Haussmannian buildings define the visual and cultural fabric of Paris. Yet as the city moves toward its carbon neutrality goals, these historic structures face a new challenge: how to evolve for modern use while retaining their timeless identity.
At Gensler Paris, this challenge has inspired a vision for the future of the Parisian workplace — one that honors history while embracing innovation. The firm’s latest office expansion on Boulevard Haussmann demonstrates how sensitive adaptation can transform residential heritage into sustainable, flexible, and human-centered work environments.
Environmental Frugality: Doing More with Less
With Paris’ commitment to net-zero carbon emissions, restoration and reuse have emerged as essential design strategies. Rather than replacing existing structures, architects are focusing on retrofitting to reduce embodied carbon while improving operational performance.
Haussmannian buildings, with their solid masonry walls and intricate interior layouts, offer both opportunities and constraints. Gensler’s design approach balances material reduction, energy efficiency, and user experience — transforming spatial limitations into creative advantages.
“The challenge is to do more with less — to respect the craftsmanship of the past while equipping spaces for the needs of the future,” said a Gensler Paris design principal.
Gensler’s Adaptive Approach
Working within a Haussmannian framework requires precision and respect for context. Gensler’s team retained key architectural elements — from decorative moldings to high ceilings — while introducing adaptive workspaces, acoustic optimization, and discreet technology integration.
Rather than imposing radical change, the design enhances fluidity and functionality, ensuring a seamless blend of heritage and modernity. The result is an office that feels both timeless and forward-looking — a place where the spirit of Parisian design coexists with the dynamism of 21st-century work.
From Homes to Human-Centered Workspaces
Haussmannian apartments were originally designed for domestic life — structured, cellular, and compartmentalized. Gensler’s intervention reimagines these layouts, opening spaces to encourage collaboration and flexibility while maintaining intimacy and comfort.
Some original traits, however, are not liabilities but assets. The diversity of room sizes and lighting conditions offers natural opportunities for zoned work environments that support neurodiverse needs and various modes of working.
“These spaces inherently offer variety — from quiet corners to bright salons — creating a workplace ecosystem that mirrors the complexity of human experience,” notes the design team.
A Hospitality-Inspired Workplace
The design extends beyond functionality into emotional experience. Gensler Paris integrates hospitality-inspired elements — naming meeting rooms Living Room, Dining Room, or Library — to evoke familiarity and belonging.
This aligns with insights from Gensler’s 2025 Global Workplace Survey, which found that French employees most value workplaces that “feel more like home.” Materials such as warm woods, leather, and textiles further blur the line between residential comfort and professional productivity.
From Legacy to Leadership
As Paris navigates the intersection of climate goals, urban density, and new work cultures, the Haussmannian typology stands as a resilient framework for adaptive reuse.
Through thoughtful design, Gensler Paris illustrates how legacy buildings can drive sustainable transformation — proving that the architecture of the past can become the foundation for a more flexible, inclusive, and low-carbon future.
“The Haussmannian building is more than heritage — it’s a living framework,” the team concludes. “When we adapt it with purpose and creativity, it becomes a catalyst for how cities can evolve sustainably.”
