Paris, a promise kept
Having worked, among other places, in Los Angeles, Copenhagen, Rotterdam, Shanghai and New York, Lawrence-Olivier Mahadoo, an associate architect at BIG, explains why Paris remains, in his eyes, one of the most attractive cities to work in.
Does Paris still make dreams come true for those who come to work there? Quality of life, culture, the art of living, work-life balance… Sometimes, you really have to come to appreciate the capital’s assets for what they truly are.
Lawrence-Olivier MAHADOO
Associate architect, Bjarke Ingels Group
© Laurian Ghinitoiu
You have worked on three continents. What is your view of Paris today?
What strikes me is that life in France is more focused on the city than on work. In Paris, you leave the office and you’re immediately in the street, among shops, cafes, and the locals. You don’t have to go through an enormous parking lot before you get home. This continuity changes everything. The city naturally extends the workday, and I think that’s a real difference compared to many other metropolises.
Does this particularity influence the way you design offices?
Yes. At BIG, we always approach a project on a city-wide scale. We seek to create connections with the outside world through terraces, balconies, or open spaces. In our Copenhagen headquarters, each floor opens onto a terrace that can be reached by walking around the building from the outside. In Paris, this approach takes on even more meaning because the building is embedded in an already very vibrant urban fabric. The office doesn’t need to offer everything: the city already provides some of that quality of use.
Is that a difference from the large American campuses that you are familiar with?
Absolutely. In the United States, companies often have to integrate restaurants, gyms, or leisure spaces into their buildings because there is nothing around. The building becomes a small town. In Paris, these services already exist within a few minutes’ walk. The campuses also exist, but they remain integrated into the city. This proximity makes the work spaces more open and, in my opinion, more pleasant to live in.
You spent eight years in New York. Why did you choose to return to Paris?
With my wife, we were looking for a better balance in our lives. Everything is simpler here: the daycare, the school, the commuting. Paris is also a very connected city to Europe. In a few hours, you can reach other capitals. This proximity counts a lot, both for our personal life and for our professional activity.
Do the expatriates you encounter share this look?
I believe so. After COVID, many people started to question a model that was almost exclusively focused on work. I saw colleagues choosing Paris because they were looking for a different quality of life. Of course, everyone experiences a different experience depending on their integration or proficiency in French, but many discover a city that is more pleasant than they imagined.
Beyond the city, would you say that there is a French way of working?
Yes, and it relies heavily on exchanges. In France, discussions quickly go beyond the professional context. We talk about culture, holidays, and family. In an architecture firm, this also translates into more discussions. In the United States, we are more «ROI-oriented»; meetings often lead to a very specific list of actions. In France, we take more time to compare ideas. This is sometimes less effective in the short term, but this space left for discussion also nurtures creativity.
If you had to sum up the «French Touch» in one word, which would you take with you?
Quality of life. Taking the time to have lunch together, to chat, to enjoy the city rather than staying locked in your office. I can already see this culture inspiring other countries. Once you discover this way of working, where the office is part of the city rather than the other way around, it’s hard to go back.
«Once we have discovered this way of working, where the office is part of the city rather than the other way around, it is difficult to go back.»
Lawrence-Olivier Mahadoo
Among the following factors, which contributed the most to your decision to work in Île-de-France or in Paris?
Responses from expats
33 %
16 %
10 %
8 %
While the professional opportunity logically comes first among the reasons expats come to live in Paris, it is not the only reason. Quality of life is cited as second, while cultural life comes in fourth place.
