Moody’s Investors Service

Industry

Finance
Location

Paris, France
SURFACE

2000 SQM
Photo Credit

Agathe Tissier

Rethinking Hybrid Office Design for Moody’s Investor Services Group

When international financial firm Moody’s Investors Service began discussing their new Parisian office, they aimed to create a hybrid workspace that transcended the traditional image associated with the Moody’s brand.

The primary objective was to inspire employees to return to the office, collaborate more effectively, and foster a deeper sense of belonging within the company, aligning with the evolving trends in workplace design for financial firms.

6 TRENDS

from the financial industry integrated into the project

HIGH-LEVEL

technical expertise with a strict set of guidelines specific to financial institutions

JLL

In partnership with JLL France

The project began with a decision: stay in the existing office or relocate? With JLL’s guidance as tenant representation advisor and thorough market research, Moody’s chose to move to the Icone Opéra building on Boulevard Haussmann, which met all the needs for their new hybrid office design.

"Our key motivation for this project was to support our new hybrid way of working, Purpose First. We believe it helps foster our culture and balances socialization, mentoring, and collaboration in the office.”

Douglas Ryker, Managing Director of Real Estate at Moody’s

Hybrid Office Design for Financial Firms: Building Trust and Collaboration

Once the research on the new location was finalized, JLL connected Moody’s with Allure to handle the design of the internal spaces.

From the start, Allure built a relationship of trust and empathy with the client. The Define, Design, and Deliver process helped Allure clarify the objectives, challenges, and core principles, ensuring the new office aligned with Moody’s brand identity and company culture.

“This project was an opportunity to rethink what a Moody’s office should be in this day and age,” says Peter Smith, Senior VP of Global Real Estate at Moody’s.

Tailoring the Space to Evolving Trends

Allure incorporated Moody’s identified trends into the design. The growing emphasis on teamwork influenced the layout, with departments placed around the edges to maximize natural light. The central area fosters collaboration and cross-functionality, strengthening a sense of belonging.

“Workstations are positioned to take advantage of natural light. We also incorporated modern lighting to complement the building’s historical charm,” says Marine Esteban, Senior Designer at Allure.

Client Experience and Sustainability in Mind

The client experience was a key focus, with a logical flow from the reception to VIP areas, and ultimately, to historical meeting rooms. The design aimed to attract both clients and talent by integrating natural textures, curved shapes, and a welcoming atmosphere. Materials were chosen for their recyclability, aligning with the importance of sustainability.

“Icone Opéra allowed us to bring Moody’s staff and facilities onto a single floor, offering advantages like a peaceful courtyard behind the vibrant Boulevard Haussmann and Opéra neighbourhood.”

Simon Williams, Director of Tenant Representation at JLL

Seamless Project Execution: Collaborative Approach to Design and Construction

Allure’s team of workplace strategists, architects, designers, and project managers worked closely with JLL and Moody’s from the start, sharing insights and identifying challenges to ensure a smooth project execution. This collaborative, cross-functional approach led to the best possible outcome.

“This is the first time I’ve experienced such a seamless transition between design and construction teams. There was no knowledge gap, which is often the case in projects like this. It was a very positive motivator for us, and the results speak for themselves.”

Peter Smith, Senior VP of Global Real Estate at Moody’s

Positive Results: A Harmonious Blend of Old and New

“The feedback from employees is that the new office is stunning. They really love it,” says Myriam Durand, Managing Director for France at Moody’s.

Chloe Le Bidois, Project Director at JLL, concludes : “The project was seamless from start to finish. Allure’s team was highly involved, with the Project Manager ensuring smooth communication between all stakeholders. Our experience with the Allure team was excellent.”