Le Connecteur | Camborde Architectes

Housed inside an 8,300-sqm building just 10 minutes out from the centre of Biarritz, France, Le Connecteur, the ambitious project for Crédit Agricole Pyrénées Gascogne, is a unique space designed to provide office accommodation for startups, freelance workers, digital nomads, remote entrepreneurs & workers, SMEs & SMIs and larger corporations.

The building’s architecture is very distinctive. Designed by Camborde Architectes, it reflects a sense of modernity that has inspired the entire project.

Cider worked alongside the interior design practice Label Experience to design and supply the project’s furnishings.

The premises comprise an impressive diversity of spaces. In addition to workspaces, the programme also includes a monumental glazed hall, an auditorium, a lecture hall, an exhibition space, an employee restaurant, as well as a rooftop.

 A gorgeously designed hall filled with light

Masterfully outfitted by 2SW — Cider Group’s in-house contractor for turnkey projects — the central hall, which comprises the Atrium and the Forum, sets the tone right from the start.

 A vast, 500-sqm space filled with light pouring down from the giant glass ceiling overhead, the Atrium is a magnificent setting that can accommodate 300 visitors. It is the ideal venue for exhibitions, gala dinners, workshops, product launches, etc.

Further on, across the Atrium, the Forum is an exterior area covered by a glass ceiling, offering a perfect option to hold comfortable outdoor events. With 360 sqm permanently open to the outside on one side, the Forum can host up to 200 people.

 The colourful furniture adds a bright and modern touch that fits perfectly in the environment.

2SW has also outfitted other prestigious setups within the lobby: the Atrium’s bar and the two information desks.

The Auditorium, a modern conference space

 This 340-sqm hall offers 311 seats, including eight for people with physical disabilities. It also features a giant screen, making it an ideal venue to organize conferences, screenings or debates. 

Bespoke designs developed with the client

For this project, Cider in collaboration with the client has developed bespoke ‘Puzzle’ cubbies in partnership with SALTO, a supplier of connected locks.

 The project also incorporates a total of 21 Flexcab acoustic booths positioned by 2SW around the open-plan offices, to provide workers with intimacy and a place to focus. Once again, 2SW has shown the breadth of its expertise with high-quality furnishings.

Diverse workspaces

In addition to 411 flex office workstations, Le Connecteur also houses 23 meeting rooms of various capacities, ranging from 6 to 24 seats, and adapted to all possible uses. Each room is equipped with a screen to deliver a premium video conferencing experience.

Because it’s always best to imagine the future together, four ideally designed creative rooms are also available for thought-provoking brainstorming sessions.

‘Layer’ bookcases are supplied around the office environments, contributing to minimal clutter and optimal storage. The spaces also include ‘Rolling Desks’.

Welcoming lounge areas

Casual lounge areas have been placed all around the space for relaxing moments. The settings include ‘Valet’ sofas and the iconic ‘Poov’ pouffes.

Le Connecteur is also home to several employee restaurants and work cafés, offering a perfect environment for engaging in conversation.

In fact, the work cafés are the ideal choice for holding networking and afterwork events, which create indispensable business-boosting opportunities.

As for the employee restaurant, it provides an exceptional setting for coming together and sharing visions around a delicious meal cooked with local produce.

The dining room has 52 seats indoors, with 28 more on the terrace, both with very high-end décors. 

A rooftop terrace with stunning views

Revealing a panoramic view of the ocean and mountains, Le Connecteur’s rooftop terrace is a magical place. Totalling 200 sqm of floor space, it can host up to 180 people. Either seated around a table or in a comfortable sofa, visitors will enjoy the beautiful weather of the French Basque country while engaging in informal conversations. The rooftop lends itself to all kinds of events, from cocktail parties to after-hours get-togethers.

Cider is proud to have contributed to such an inspiring project for an original and pioneering programme in the region. Cider’s business developers Alexandre Arjona and Vincent Obry have both worked on the project alongside the team at 2SW.