TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies's new headquarters is located in the Multi Tower in Brussels. TotalEnergies provides green energy for this the first CO2-neutral office building in the European capital. In addition, about 800 employees of the international energy supplier work here across eight floors. Ahrend supplied the workplaces as well as furniture for the meeting areas and rooms, coffee & concentration corners and the company restaurant. “Despite the high attendance rate, there is a sense of calm in the open office environment every time you visit the Multi Tower.”

Hybrid working community

TotalEnergies is a multi-energy supplier that produces and supplies oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gas, renewable energy and electricity and operates in more than 130 countries. For the new headquarters, TotalEnergies wanted to create dynamic and ergonomic work and meeting spaces with different zones for different activities. To this end, an international architecture firm designed a layout according to the principles of the hybrid working community. Ahrend was asked in competition to put together a product mix with an eye on activities, vitality and sustainability.

Vital working environment

Ahrend implemented the furnishing concept with a wide range of products. The dynamic workplace for every employee is the key element here. Eli Ducès, account manager at Ahrend: “A vital working environment is high on the priority list, that's why everyone has an Ahrend Balance sit-stand desk.”
What is striking, says Eli, is that a lot of attention has been paid to acoustics in the interior design. “Despite the high attendance rate, there is a sense of calm in the open office environment every time you visit the Multi Tower. In this same building, Ahrend also implemented the furnishings for Bpost.'

‘"Logistics is an inseparable part of Ahrend's service offering"’

Eli Ducès Account manager at Ahrend

Design concept reinforced

The challenge with this assignment lay not only in putting together the right product mix. Eli: "The look and feel here was still sparse when we were called in. When we were awarded the contract, we were able to decide on colour and materials with the client in our showroom. The result: Our products are in line with hybrid and activity-oriented work and reinforce the design concept on each floor with the right colours and materials."
Light wood and fresh, bright tones that are reflected in the logo. "To get even closer to the design, Ahrend has finished the tops of the Ahrend 341 tables with a terrazzo look in the coffee corners."

Activity defines workplace

Eli looks back on an extraordinary collaboration, in which the client did a great job of guiding its employees to the new hybrid way of working. Eli: "Informative videos and a tour of all rooms, features and facilities led to the quick adoption of the new hybrid and vital working method. The activity determines the position (sitting or standing) and the workplace; focused work at one's own sit-stand desk, talking on the phone in the call zone and video calls in closed rooms, informal discussions around the pantry and meeting in the restaurant."

Logistics in the heart of Brussels

The size, tight timeframe and location make this assignment special. This demands flexibility and well-planned logistics from Ahrend. Eli: "Of course, quality, execution and the mix of our products are key. But the choice of Ahrend also reflects our careful paring of contractor with project, as well as our need to arrange assembly à la minute and have recyclable packaging materials disposed of in the heart of Brussels. Logistics, just like ergonomics, design and concept, is an inseparable part of our brand and our services."