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A global leader in advertising and public relations, Publicis Groupe has embraced its ‘Power of One’ philosophy by consolidating a diverse range of agencies under one roof. To translate this vision into a vibrant workplace, Ippolito Fleitz Group was commissioned to design the group’s China headquarters in the heart of Shanghai. Drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese courtyards and echoing the city’s ever-evolving spirit, the new headquarters embody the group’s strategic shift toward greater collaboration, agility and creative synergy, while asserting a bold and distinctive spatial identity.

Spanning eight floors of the iconic CPIC Xintiandi Commercial Centre in Shanghai’s vibrant Xintiandi area, the design faced the key challenge of unifying agencies with distinct identities into one coherent vision. The solution is a robust, unified framework that translates the Power of One vision into a consistent experience, while allowing for individual identities. This is supported by a layered colour strategy that gives each floor and neighbourhood its own personality through variations in colour, material and details. Meanwhile, a consistent colour palette ensures visual rhythm, clarity and intuitive orientation. This chromatic framework harmonises the vertical experience while celebrating diversity.

This sense of continuity is anchored by a central sculptural staircase. Serving as both a physical and social connector, the staircase enables movement between floors and fosters spontaneous encounters. In a high-rise where unity can easily fragment, the design cultivates a dynamic community that is a hive of motion, collaboration and collective energy.

The visitor journey is designed to impress, immerse and inspire. As you step out of the lift, you are struck by the sight of a a red ceramic brick wall that evokes Shanghai’s iconic lane houses. This is paired with Publicis Groupe’s lion emblem, brightly illuminated by a glowing light film. This bold, tactile entrance sets the tone for what lies ahead: an experience with a strong presence that is deeply rooted in the locality.

At the heart of the visitor floor lies the Pitch Room. Circular in plan and wrapped in a curved LED screen, it is far from a traditional conference space. Instead, it has been reimagined as an immersive storytelling platform in which creativity can flourish. Movable chairs and standing tables offer flexibility, while smart glass provides instant privacy at the touch of a button. Here, communication becomes a shared experience, blurring the boundaries between speaker and audience.

Nearby, the Digital Award Wall transforms recognition into interaction. Made of glass bricks embedded with LEDs, it showcases defining moments from Publicis’s legacy, turning static history into a living archive of motion, light and story. Visitors are invited to engage with it, anchoring memory, brand and emotion in a single, fluid gesture.

Each floor is organised around a central core that serves as a spatial and visual anchor. Clad in stainless steel panels and featuring a continuous horizontal wooden shelf, the core brings material continuity and calm geometry to each level. Practical amenities, such as water stations, coffee collection points, nursing rooms and displays, are seamlessly integrated into this core, making essential functions feel like a natural part of the architecture.

The Grand Pantry on the top floor embodies agility, adaptability and collective energy. With foldable screens, operable partitions and a dynamic ceiling system, it can be expanded or contracted as needed to support interaction at any scale. As the social hub of the headquarters, this versatile space can host anything from casual lunches to full-storey events.

Publicis Groupe’s Shanghai headquarters are more than just an office space; they are a vertical city – a creative hub with a spatial rhythm attuned to the pulse of the metropolis beyond and the culture within. They acknowledge their surroundings, amplify the brand and provide space for ideas to rise, settle and rise again.

Design: Ippolito Fleitz Group
Design Team: Qing Chang, Manu Dhanked, Peter Ippolito, Isil Kuran Yanli, Yi Li, Jose Miso, Sasha Zhang, Yining Zhu
Photography: CreatAR lmages