The studio

ATHEM is a Paris-based studio specialising in the mise en scene of urban spaces created in 1985 by architects passionate about urban art. Known at first for its artistic creations on the buildings of Paris, over time the studio has developed a wider offering in premium and large-scale urban outdoor media.

Now, like an artist collective, ATHEM brings together creative, technical and technological resources to showcase cultural heritage, whether it is a place, a brand, a product, an event or even a cultural or architectural creation.

Aims

Since the early 2010s, Atelier ATHEM has been specialising in two main fields of activity: funding the restoration of protected buildings through advertising and creating temporary or permanent mise en scène for brands (decoration, lighting of facades, projections, interactive content and soundscapes). By transforming a street, a facade, or a space visited by an audience, ATHEM aims to create a unique event with every one of its projects, one which has meaning and conveys positive emotions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

ATHEM supports local authorities, cultural institutions, building owners (public and private) and advertisers in carrying out their mise en scène projects. Aware of the implications of these activities, for many years the studio has been committed to carrying out its work in accordance with the principles of sustainable development, incorporating the responsibility to be alert, inclusive, honest and transparent. In 2020, to formalise this approach and measure its results, ATHEM’s management team made the decision to place it within the framework of the ISO 20121 standard, a CSR certification specific to the events industry.

A PROACTIVE APPROACH

Following a principle of continuous improvement, ATHEM has committed to a CSR process covering all stages of creation and based on the three pillars of sustainable development:

Environmental

Entering into a strategy of systematic eco-design of projects, taking into account material life cycles: ATHEM is committed to looking for new eco-design solutions and to progressing with the recovery, management and recycling of the waste generated by its work.

Social

being and remaining a responsible employer and partner: ATHEM is committed to establishing itself as a socially responsible and inclusive company, uniting all of its employees around its CSR goals and ensuring they can thrive within the company.

Economic

Drawing on the team’s expertise to offer an environmentally responsible service: ATHEM is committed to promoting innovation in eco-design and increasing the proportion of eco-designed products sold to clients. To do this, it makes sure it has the skills necessary for the company’s development in order to ensure these strategic objectives are met.

20121 CERTIFICATION

Embarking on the ISO certification process has enabled ATHEM to structure its CSR approach and measure its performance. This certification, inspired by ISO 26000, centres around responsible management systems for events companies. The assessment is based on an audit valid for three years, carried out by an independent certification body. At the end of this term, a renewal audit is carried out, showing what progress has been made if any.

2022 IMPACT REPORT

In 2023, ATHEM carried out its first CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) report. From its carbon footprint to the presentation of its actions on traceability, from equal pay to the selection of committed suppliers, this document provides a synthesis of the workshop's approach, its results, and areas for improvement. To access it, click here.

RECOVERY OF BUILDING WRAPS

The expertise and partnerships ATHEM has developed enable it to make use of building wraps that have been used to cover buildings under construction after the work is finished instead of disposing of them. As part of a continuous improvement process, the studio is always looking for innovative, recyclable and/or reusable materials where at all possible. One of the solutions most used by ATHEM currently is turning the wraps into construction materials. Other possibilities are being examined. In addition, the company is able to provide its clients with life cycle assessment (LCA) reports, using the assessment method it has standardised for all of its wraps.

We put our expertise to use for local authorities, cultural and industrial heritage assets, exhibition curators and artists. Project-focused, we bring together creative, technical and technological resources to transform a place, to say something, through an unusual artistic creation, and to elicit emotions

PARTNERSHIPS WITH A POSITIVE IMPACT

ATHEM works with ESATs (organisations employing disabled people with a view to their integration into the world of work), for the supply of office equipment for example. One of the things ATHEM has been doing for several years is working with Les Joyeux Recycleurs, leaders in recycling for companies, in Paris. For each kilo of waste collected from the offices, 5 euro cents are donated to the charitable association Ares Atelier, which is working to help people in difficulty into the world of work.

HERITAGE PRESERVATION AND TRADITIONAL TRADES

ATHEM is a member of GMH, a trade union representing companies working in the restoration of historical monuments and cultural heritage. Its main purposes are to train and pass on knowledge and to encourage research and new technology. Through its work and its involvement in GMH, ATHEM supports all of the parties involved in the process of restoring protected monuments and heritage assets. Since 2007, the company has been able to contribute directly to the restoration of 25 buildings, most of which had been damaged by time and pollution. Another positive impact of this work is that it generates direct jobs in France, particularly in traditional trades which are themselves heritage that must be preserved.