The Gras Lamp in Historical Parisian Office | DCW EDITIONS

While DCWéditions lighting objects vary from classic to contemporary in aesthetic, one aspect remains consistent across each design: quality. Gras Lamps from DCWéditions were used in BETC Magasins Généraue offices, located on the Canal de l'Ourcq in Paris, France.

Built in the 1930s, when it was known as “Magasins Généraux,” the BETC Magasins Généraux building holds significant historical value. The two six-story concrete and glass buildings, linked by metal bridges, first served as a flour and grain warehouse, then as a customs house, before closing in 2001. The abandoned building became a canvas for local graffiti artists until 2016 when BETC advertising agency gave the 20,000-square-meter structure a new lease on life.

Frédéric Jung completed the architectural redesign, motivated to 'play with the building’s brutal poetry, and to push it as far as possible’. The interior design team focused on adaptable workspaces—suitable for various teams and uses—and found custom office furniture to fit the company's needs. 'Our design approach favors function first and foremost,' said T&P Work UNit co-founders Catherine Geel and Sophie Breuil.

Creative Director, Catherine Geel, selected DCWéditions' Gras Lamps (prominently style N°226) for the office's lighting. Le Lampe Gras was designed by Bernard-Albin Gras in 1921 for use in offices and industrial environments. The lamps were ahead of their time, with a distinctive aesthetic and meticulous design.

While the Gras Lamps interact with the building's rich history, it is their industrial design and functionality that meet the requirements of a modern-day office. It is through design elements like the Gras Lamp that Catherine Geel created an aesthetic cohesive with the building's past while giving a nod to futurism.

The transformation of previously abandoned Magasins Généraux has turned the surrounding area into a bustling hub. The selection and placement of DCWéditions lighting fixtures play an important role in the building's evolution—blending history with modern design. The result is a practical and visually captivating space.

View all available DCWéditions products in the Architonic Catalog or go deeper through the manufacturer's website.