ateliers puzzle

What ateliers puzzle does

Ateliers Puzzle is a privately held French technical engineering and production bureau (bureau d'études) founded in 2016 in Nantes by Grégoire Cartillier, a state-certified architect (DPLG) with a master's in construction engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (ETSAM) and prior technical-direction roles at major French contemporary art events including Lille 2004, the Estuaire biennale, and Voyage à Nantes. The company provides integrated technical services that translate ambitious artistic visions into safely installable, durable artworks: on-site 3D scanning and photogrammetry surveys, 2D/3D CAD modeling, structural engineering and calculation notes (notes de calcul), prototype and scale-model fabrication, logistics, lifting, and on-site installation management, as well as diagnostics and restoration of existing public artworks. Ateliers Puzzle operates as both an engineering bureau and a general contractor (entreprise générale) carrying specific construction-site insurance, allowing it to serve as a single point of contact from initial sketch through execution studies.

The firm serves four primary customer segments: contemporary artists and collectives (80+ named artists including Tadashi Kawamata, Ólafur Elíasson, Ron Mueck, Stephan Balkenhol, Erwin Wurm, Fabien Mérelle); museums and cultural institutions (Fondation Cartier, Musée d'Art de Nantes); public art programs and municipalities (Société du Grand Paris, Le Voyage à Nantes, Un Été au Havre, Métropole Grand Lyon, Ville du Havre, Grand Paris Aménagement); and private collectors/corporations (Celebrity Beyond cruise ship, La Samaritaine, Ecole Centrale de Lyon). It also delivers technical direction for state-funded programs including the Ministère de la Culture's Mondes Nouveaux initiative, covering approximately 20 projects.

The business model is project-based professional services with custom-quoted fees based on scope, complexity, and duration; no public pricing exists. Revenue streams include engineering and feasibility studies, fabrication and general-contractor services, technical direction and project management, and diagnostics/restoration. Distribution is exclusively direct sales through relationships with artists, museums, and public art organizers, supplemented by an organic social and portfolio-driven website presence. Geographic scope is primarily France with documented international engagements in Italy and at sea (cruise-ship commission). The team comprises approximately 10-11 people organized into three operational poles (Conception, Étude, Chantier) plus Direction & Administration, supported by a broad network of specialized subcontractors.

Name

ateliers puzzle

Legal name

Ateliers Puzzle

Website

https://atelierspuzzle.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ateliers Puzzle is a Nantes-based technical engineering and production bureau serving contemporary artists, museums, and public art programs with 3D scanning, structural engineering, fabrication, installation, and restoration services across France and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Art Installation Engineering Services

NAICS

Industrial Design Services (541420), Engineering Services (541330)

SIC

Miscellaneous Manufacturing Industries (3990)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAGAKAH

Event Technical Production Management & Crew

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Event Production & Technical Services (Staging, Lighting, Sound)

SECONDARYIMAFANAJ

Joinery, Millwork & Casework Installation (Cabinetry, Built-Ins)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Construction & Civil Engineering/Interior Fit-Out & Finishing Contractors

SECONDARYHSAKAEAG

Sculpture & Oversized Fragile Item Moving

Home & Personal Services/Moving, Storage & Relocation Services/Specialty Item Moving (Pianos, Antiques, Fine Art, Safes)

Keywords

• Art installation engineering
• Structural design services
• 3D scanning photogrammetry
• Art fabrication services
• Cultural project consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Nantes

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Engineering and Design Studies: Project-based fees for technical studies, structural engineering, feasibility analysis, and design services for artistic installations
2. Art Fabrication and General Contractor Services: Full-service production contracts including fabrication, logistics, transportation, lifting, and installation, with specific construction insurance coverage
3. Technical Direction and Project Management: Ongoing technical management and coordination services throughout project lifecycle
4. Diagnostics and Restoration: Conservation diagnostics, deterioration assessment, and restoration project management for existing artworks

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Ateliers Puzzle is a specialized technical engineering and design bureau (bureau d'études) for contemporary art projects, providing end-to-end technical services from initial sketch through execution studies. The company delivers four interconnected practice areas: technical direction and project management (including project owner assistance); design and engineering studies (3D scanning, photogrammetry, CAD modeling, structural design, calculation reports); project execution and fabrication (workshop production, logistics, transport, lifting, on-site assembly); and diagnostics and restoration for existing artworks. The company also acts as a general contractor with construction insurance, serving as a single point of contact for artists and institutions.

Product overview

Ateliers Puzzle operates as a single unified service offering — a specialized technical engineering and design bureau (bureau d'études) for contemporary art projects. The company does not offer discrete software products or modules but rather provides an integrated suite of technical services encompassing four interconnected practice areas: (1) Expertise — technical management, technical assistance to project owners (AMO), and project management; (2) Design and Engineering Studies — encompassing on-site surveys, 3D scanning, photogrammetry, 2D/3D CAD modeling, structural design, and calculation reports; (3) Project Execution and Art Fabrication — including prototypes, scale models, workshop fabrication, logistics, transport, lifting, and on-site set-up/hanging teams; and (4) Diagnostics and Restoration — covering state-of-conservation diagnosis, deterioration assessment, restoration project management, and maintenance recommendations. The company also acts as a general contractor (entreprise générale) with specific construction insurance, providing a single point of contact from initial sketch through execution studies for the complete realization of artistic projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Named customers17 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Société du Grand PariscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Project management (MOE) for 4 artworks in 4 stations of the Grand Paris Express metro network. Collaboration with artistic director José-Manuel Gonçalvès and Le Centquatre-Paris for artistic coordination. Significant public infrastructure project integrating contemporary art into major Parisian transit network.
• Eva Albarran & CocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Recurring production partner for multiple art projects including Un Été au Havre, Mondes Nouveaux program, and various museum installations. Handles delegated production management while Ateliers Puzzle provides technical direction and engineering.
• Le Centquatre-PariscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArtistic coordination partner for Grand Paris Express metro station art integration project.
• ManifestocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMandataire for Grand Paris Express project, coordinating the various partners including Ateliers Puzzle for metro station art works.
• Peter Millard & Partners LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtistic production partner for Fabien Mérelle's 'A l'origine (The Elephant)' installation on Celebrity Beyond cruise ship.
• Collectif ManœuvreminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDesign, production, and installation partner for Fleur Helluin's 'Palinopsie' installation as part of Mondes Nouveaux program.
• Atelier JoursminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape design partner for Fabriques Grotte et Stéréoscope installation at Musée Régional d'Archéologie et du Vin de Champagne in Epernay.
• Le Troisième PôleminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCultural engineering partner for diagnostic project of artworks at La Grande Borne in Grigny for Grand Paris Aménagement.
• Prométhée ConceptminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTechnical régie partner for Un Été au Havre festival editions 2019-2024.
• Art CastingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFoundry partner for bronze artwork casting (Fabien Mérelle's 'Jusqu'au bout du Monde').
• Max Baron (Métallerie)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMetal work partner for Ingrid Luche's 'InDOORS' installation as part of Mondes Nouveaux program.
• La boîte à outils 44minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject management (MOE) partner for Ingrid Luche's 'InDOORS' installation.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ateliers-puzzle
• Instagraminstagram.com/atelierspuzzle

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ateliers puzzle