Shell and core, here and now!

On the streets of Paris, at the foot of office buildings under construction, you'll sometimes see skips filled with brand-new false ceiling tiles or rolls of carpet... at best put back on the market.

Why this sorry spectacle, an environmental and economic nonsense at a time of ecological transition, recycling and reuse of materials? Because in France, unlike in the U.S., landlords still deliver finished sets to tenants, with fixtures and fittings that the tenants, having just arrived, hasten to remove and, sometimes, send to landfill. Simply because they don't fit in with their plans! To add insult to injury, the supposedly attractive work environment may even repel prospective tenants: the complexity, cost and time required to replace it will ultimately drive some of them away from the coveted building.

It's urgent to get out of this ubiquitous situation - it's not impossible. But how? By drawing inspiration, for example, from the tried-and-tested retail model in France: commercial shells are equipped to a minimum, leaving a brand free to create a boutique in its own image. Or look across the Atlantic: Shell and core has been the norm in office real estate for decades, and the British are now embracing it. The Shell and core model solves the recurring supply-demand mismatch to everyone's benefit.

Landlords first. Without reducing the rent, even if they concede a share to the tenant for initial fitting-out costs, landlords can put their assets on the market more quickly and find takers more quickly. What's more, they could devote a share of the interior refurbishment investments they have been making cyclically up to now to fundamental, sustainable property enhancement, such as energy efficiency...

Then there are the tenants. Recently, one of our clients wanted to double the number of restaurant spaces in the building he was targeting. Rather than forcing the future occupant to deal with unsuitable layouts, Shell and Core not only reduces the time needed to move in by saving on rent, but also, and above all, enables him to take full advantage of a tailor-made environment immediately.

Designers. Contrary to popular belief, lessees know exactly what they want: a project drawn up with the designer of their choice, or the scrupulous application of space planning and design guidelines for large Anglo-Saxon groups. With Shell and core, the interior architect or designer can devote himself fully to the project from the outset - and in accordance with his ecological conscience - rather than overcoming totally artificial constraints.

And finally, the Planet?
It says, of course, thank you to Shell and core.