We have workspace envy.

Take a look at the 'DomoLab' - a recently completed project for French architects Encore Heureux.

The idea of ​​the DomoLab apparently first emerged in 2007, and is the location where eleven companies of the Saint-Gobain group come together as an innovation and research department.

Located on the Saint-Gobain Recherche site at Aubervilliers, Domolab is situated in the nineteenth span of the imposing building - previously restored in 1999 by architects Odile Decq and Benoit Cornette.

Used as a warehouse of materials required for research activity, 'Span 19' has undergone a complete renovation, from a non-insulated shed to a low energy building - an exercise in thermal renovation.

Our favourite bit is the fact that Encore Heureux architects chose to celebrate the beauty of the original farm building; retaining much open and undefined space which is ideal for an innovation environment, as well as for the presentation of ideas and temporary events.

"We chose to build in wood structure in line with the existing structure enhanced by a single blast. A colorless glaze assumes added new elements, posts and rafters of the passageway. For each of the new built elements, the same set of rules: do not disturb the integrity of the farm's structure" say the architects.

Overall, the spaces are organised on three levels - presided over by an office and meeting room area which is perched on stilts and open to the sky.

Want to take a walk through it?

Click here.

Photography Cyrus Cornut.