“The [other factor to choose Coco Velten as an office was its] cultural dimension: the presence of various cultural professions occupying the offices and the programming of cultural events, hosting artists, concerts or conferences that enrich us.”

“The [other factors to choose Coco were] collective dimension of the project […], experimentation with a unique program, the mix of uses […] the opportunities offered by temporary occupation, and the good positioning of the building in the city [and in the neighbourhood].”

“It's hard to compare rent with other workplaces because it's not just an area that is rented. We also benefit from the synergy with the other structures, from the canteen which is a meeting place, from the image of the place which is now well identified, from all the events which occur at "home" and from which we benefit very easily. thanks to this proximity. The price of rent is fine with us for space and services. ”

“The building, due to its temporary duration, has been renovated accordingly. It does not have the level of thermal and sound insulation, reception and security required if the site were to be sustainable.”

“Our company was helped by a Pôle Emploi mechanism for job creation. It is a nonspecific national system. We are not an association but a cooperative society (Scop), so we operate mainly thanks to the contracts (public or private) that we win.”

“[There are] 7 main groups in the neighborhood: residents, traders, social-cultural and artistic actors, institutional actors (Regional Council and offices in several buildings around Porte d'Aix), migrants who [also] live around [this area] and other users of public space. We participate from time to time in the community of cultural / social actors in the neighborhood, which mixes with other communities during neighborhood events such as the Babelsunciades for example. ”

“We sometimes have lunch at the Canteen of Coco Velten and in restaurants in the neighborhood […] it is not particularly festive or made for going out at night.”

“We use our website and social networks like Instagram or Facebook. for us, it is important to do this communication work because it allows us to synthesize our work and make our work, which can be technical and specific, accessible to a greater number of people. ”

“In 2022, we are [going to] participate in the Architecture and Landscape Biennale. This type of research exhibition is often poorly subsidized, which is in part a voluntary investment from the agency’s own funds.”

“We worked with Eclap éditions (association of Coco Velten) to create and design a game in public space. Children from a local Maison Pour Tous took part in an initial hunt for clues to discover the neighborhood, its spatial and historical components. [...] The event allows children and adults to discover the neighborhood, to occupy the area [...] and to question the closure of a nearby municipal public park.”

“We participate in the Life Councils which are occasionally involved in the management of the space. We make 2 hours of voluntary investment per month for the place (barista or clerk for the canteen, monitoring the homework of the children of the residence, etc.)”

“This location is important to us because we had a history in the neighborhood and that helped us to continue projects. In fact, we started a study on Porte d'Aix and the district in 2018. After moving to Coco, we were able to continue our mission by designing and producing a game in public space in 2020. Also the place is well connected for getting around the city with access to the tram, metro, Saint Charles train station and highways. We have projects in Marseille and in the region, even in Paris, so we have to move easily to these sites.”

“We furnished it [our workspace] with furniture, repainted and cleaned it. We have not started any significant work because the lease is temporary. We took part in the collective work: hall decorations, installation of a sink in the toilets and an instant boiler. ”

“We would like to have a space in addition to the model workshop, DIY, material storage. It is always difficult to mix up phone calls, work meetings and calm and focused work time. We now have two separate but close offices, which makes it possible to have fewer people per office and better focus. But this sometimes hinders the sharing of information. It's hard to find the right balance. ”

“We often clear our tables to host a meeting, make models, assemble printed files, etc.”

“There is permeability between private office spaces and public spaces [...]. There is no longer anyone at the reception of the building and that creates difficulties. [...] Lost visitors often interrupt us to ask for information. [...] The halls that serve the offices are considered as public spaces in the Coco Velten project, this allows everyone access to our offices but this lack of barrier can create difficulties in concentrating at work.”

“Coco Velten aims to mix different activities and audiences within the floors. [...] also allows the public to find rest, heated spaces in winter, help with structures, etc. [...] Some associations welcome people in difficulty, sometimes in crisis, waiting for help. These people can ask us but it can put them and us in difficulty because we do not know what response to provide and it can sometimes occur at a time when we are not available.”