Publicis Groupe, a global advertising company, recently completed a project that redefines the conventional office space. Le Truc is a unique creative collective housed within Publicis Groupe’s headquarters in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood. Recognizing that the era of the standard office has ended, Le Truc was conceived to challenge traditional agency models and create a space that fosters creativity.

Publicis Groupe enlisted the expertise of Architecture Plus Information (A+I), renowned for its work on other cutting-edge headquarters, such as Squarespace and Peloton, to tackle the project. The goal was to attract people back into a brick-and-mortar office environment.

Le Truc’s floor plan deviates from the traditional office layout, featuring fewer than 90 desks for an estimated staff of 250. The space emphasizes team rooms, phone booths, sofas, and other flexible areas. A+I’s vision was to create interconnected open spaces for meetings and semi-secluded areas for brainstorming and focused work.

Henricksen was responsible for furniture procurement and installation. They worked closely with the client and A+I to create a vibrant and inspiring workspace for Le Truc that seamlessly integrated unique furniture options within its unconventional work environment. The finish selections were selected to complement and enhance the vibrant colors of the interior.

The lounges, sunken seating areas, and communal tables encouraged spontaneous interaction and creativity. The layout and tiered seating heights were inspired by outdoor dining and open-air performance spaces that popped up across New York City during the pandemic.

The uniqueness of Le Truc doesn’t end with the design; it carries over into the branding and even the naming of the rooms. Several spaces are named after monsters — Gollum, Count Dracula, and Falkor, among others. This approach was intended to inspire creators to bring ideas to life.

Henricksen’s role in overseeing furniture procurement and installation ensured that Le Truc was not just a workspace, but a transformative environment that reflected the evolving nature of work in the modern world.

Adding to its list of achievements, Le Truc won the Interior Design Magazine Best of Year Award in the Small Creative Office category, further validating its innovative approach to office space design. This award is a testament to the creativity, innovation, and dedication that went into the conception and execution of Le Truc.