260,000 sq ft
Paris, France
Deloitte University EMEA
Deloitte’s Vision
Fostering Growth and Development
Deloitte has long been recognised for its commitment to nurturing talent and fostering leadership. As part of this commitment, Deloitte University EMEA was established as a premier learning and development facility for Deloitte’s employees across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, providing them with the resources and environment needed to grow for the next steps in their careers. This facility is one of Deloitte's most visible and tangible investments in their people, symbolising the intersection of learning, connections and leadership. Sketch Studios played a crucial role in this project, providing expert consultancy and design services to bring Deloitte’s vision to life.
Our approach
A Scandinavian-Inspired Learning Environment
The new Deloitte University EMEA spans 260,000 sq ft, offering a tailored environment that aligns perfectly with their specific needs and goals. The core objective was to create a space that feels homely and welcoming, rather than corporate, embodying a Scandinavian aesthetic of comfort and simplicity.
We provided expert furniture consultancy, collaborating with Deloitte to ensure all choices matched their vision of a homely, comfortable environment. Our design team developed a cohesive FF&E plan that balanced functionality with aesthetics, creating practical yet relaxing spaces by sourcing high-quality furniture to enhance the facility’s Scandinavian-inspired design. We also advised on OS&E, ensuring every detail supported operational needs and design ethos, and managed the procurement process, securing the best products at competitive prices while meeting Deloitte’s high standards and timelines.
The concept
A Home for Learning, Connecting and Leadership development
The essence of Deloitte University EMEA was to create a space where learning is seamless, connections are fostered and leadership is nurtured, all within an environment that feels like home. The aim was not just to facilitate learning but to ensure that individuals felt comfortable and relaxed, enabling them to fully engage in the learning process. The design intended to evoke a sense of comfort and familiarity, with spaces that allowed for relaxation and informal interactions, fostering connections and a sense of community.
The result is a state-of-the-art learning facility that perfectly balances the need for professional development with the comfort of a welcoming environment. Deloitte University EMEA stands as a testament to Deloitte’s dedication to its people, providing a space where the preceding generation can share knowledge with the new, and where every detail is designed to support learning and leadership development in exceptional and memorable experiences.
The Design
Creating a Seamless and Engaging Experience
The design of Deloitte University EMEA was envisioned as a journey, inviting delegates to move harmoniously through the spaces, experiencing a sense of exploration and discovery. The building is not only homely but also intentionally designed to create a seamless and engaging experience from the moment one walks in.
A soft pastel colour palette was used throughout the facility to evoke a sense of warmth and comfort, enhancing the home-like atmosphere. The furniture played a crucial role in achieving this ambiance. The lounge areas were designed to feel welcoming and comfortable, but also creating a wow factor, highlighting the floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning views. To maintain an unobstructed view and encourage exploration, furniture with low or no backs was strategically chosen. This allows people to see through the space, inviting curiosity about what lies around the corner or in the distance.
The thoughtful selection of furniture ensured a visual link to the outside environment, avoiding high-back chairs or sofas in front of the windows, preserving the picturesque views of the lake. This design choice fosters a sense of flow and movement, allowing people to feel connected to the surrounding landscape as they move through the space.
The Journey
Dynamic Environments Through Varied Designs
The welcome space is designed to make a striking first impression, where guests first arrive and walk in. As people enter and descend the stairs, they are greeted by “The Townsquare”, the beating heart of the facility between its two main areas. Heading left leads to the "Learning street," the main artery connecting the classrooms and other learning spaces, while turning right takes one to the hospitality zone, which includes the dining area, gym, and bedrooms.
The "Learning street" is designed to offer an enticing and intimate teaching experience. Despite the vastness of the space, smaller zones were created within to foster a homely atmosphere. These zones encourage personal interactions, allowing people to step away from formal classes and share knowledge in a more relaxed and personal manner. We achieved this by incorporating various breakout areas and one-to-one rooms, creating pockets of space that contrast with the larger, open areas.
Each room within Deloitte University EMEA is designed to be unique, ensuring that every visit feels fresh and different. Different tables, finishes, and shelving designs are used to create a dynamic environment that evolves over time. This approach extends to the welcome space and meeting rooms, where the layout can be easily changed to offer a new experience each time someone visits.
Flexible and Future
Proofed Space
Flexible Layouts for Changing Needs
The building is designed not only for today, but with an eye on the future. Currently, the facility can accommodate 260 delegates overnight. This forward-thinking approach ensures that Deloitte University EMEA can continue to meet the needs of its users as the organisation grows. In light of this, the furniture was also chosen for its flexibility, enabling various layouts to accommodate different needs and activities.
Furniture
Focus
Enhancing Architectural Aesthetics with Furniture
We carefully chose the furniture that would blend with the concept of creating central meeting areas where people can gather and chat.
Key furniture pieces like the Plot sofa by Brunner can be completely reconfigured, allowing for different layouts to keep the space dynamic. The Studio sofa by Norr 11 captures the building's structure beautifully, with sunlight enhancing its curves, creating a stunning visual effect.
The Estate table in the main bar, with its detailed and colourful design, makes a bold statement, appearing bespoke to the space. In the dining areas, Vitra Alto and Vitra Domus chairs were selected to complement each other, despite the challenge of matching oak from four different suppliers.
The Davison Highley Bee sofa is another standout piece, mirroring the sculpture by Signbox at the building's entrance, which symbolises connection, reflection, and leadership. Like the sculpture, the sofa represents the facility's purpose of bringing people together, fostering connections, and creating a dynamic, evolving environment.
