French architecture firm Collectif Encore has designed an innovative headquarters building for Wikicampers, a camper van rental platform, in Bidart, France. The new workspace represents a forward-thinking approach to office design, prioritizing adaptability and future growth over traditional fixed layouts. The building was specifically commissioned to accommodate the projected expansion of Wikicampers, which has experienced steady growth since its establishment in 2012.
The architectural concept centers around creating a framework for ongoing evolution rather than following a rigid plan. Wikicampers envisioned a structure capable of adapting to the changing needs of its team, operations, and company culture over time. The design reflects this adaptive mindset while supporting a collaborative and responsive organizational model, all while addressing significant ecological constraints presented by the challenging building site.
Collectif Encore worked closely with the Wikicampers team to create an efficient and transformable building that could potentially accommodate up to one hundred employees in the future without sacrificing operational flexibility in the present. To achieve this ambitious goal, the architects implemented a post-and-beam structural system that minimizes internal partitions and maximizes spatial versatility throughout the building. The long-span design enables easy reconfiguration of floor plates, allows for leasing unused space to other companies, and provides opportunities for staging temporary events.
This architectural approach proves both cost-effective and pragmatic for the growing company. By minimizing the foundation requirements, the design reduces material consumption during the construction phase. Meanwhile, the open-plan layout allows different departments to expand or contract their space allocation over time as business needs change. The building effectively serves Wikicampers' current requirements while creating room for future growth and potentially hosting other companies within the region's active startup ecosystem.
The new Wikicampers headquarters sits on a particularly challenging site in Bidart that features steep slopes and is marked by three protected trees that needed to be preserved. Located along the edge of a zoning boundary, the parcel also came with a high parking quota requirement that had previously deterred other potential buyers from purchasing the land. Collectif Encore responded to these constraints by preserving the wooded perimeter around the building and strategically placing all parking spaces beneath the structure, effectively reducing the building's overall footprint while enhancing ground-level access to surrounding green spaces.
Positioned thoughtfully among the existing trees, the building's lower levels feel grounded and immersed in natural vegetation, while the upper floors gain expansive open views of the surrounding landscape. Each level steps back slightly from the one below it, creating a series of shaded terraces that serve dual purposes as both climate moderators and informal meeting zones for employees. These wraparound balconies provide outdoor access from every floor and contribute significantly to the building's environmental performance.
The building's environmental strategy has been subtly but effectively integrated throughout the design. Glazing is strategically concentrated on the east, south, and west facades to maximize the capture of beneficial winter sunlight for natural heating. Meanwhile, the deep balconies that wrap around each floor provide essential protection against harsh summer glare, reducing cooling needs. Natural ventilation flows efficiently through carefully positioned operable openings throughout the building, significantly reducing reliance on energy-intensive mechanical ventilation systems. Additionally, the concrete slab construction delivers important thermal mass properties, helping to keep interior temperatures stable throughout the day without requiring traditional air conditioning systems.
