Article source: KAAN Architecten

Dutch firm KAAN Architecten presents the new Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d’Orsay (Université Paris-Sud/CNRS), part of the future campus of the Université Paris-Saclay (France). Robust and elegant, while essentially open in character, the building is distinguished by a harmonic coexistence of nature and scientific research.

The Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d’Orsay (ISMO) has recently moved into new premises designed by KAAN Architecten. The building is located on the Plateau de Saclay, 20 km south-west of Paris. Initiated in 2010, and born of the fusion of three research laboratories, this higher institute for molecular physics and physico-chemistry, under the supervision of Université Paris-Sud and CNRS, employees a staff of 170 collaborators. ISMO merges with the Centre de Physique Matière et Rayonnement, grouping physics laboratories, an educational building and a reception centre for international researchers.

Image Courtesy © Fernando-Guerra-FG+SG

• Architects: KAAN Architecten, (Kees Kaan, Vincent Panhuysen, Dikkie Scipio)
• Project: Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d’Orsay
• Location: Bâtiment 520, Rue André Rivière, 91400, Orsay, France
• Photography: Fernando-Guerra-FG+SG, Sebastian-van-Damme
• Client: Université Paris-Sud
• Project Team: Christophe Banderier, Marc Coma, Aksel Coruh, Sebastian van Damme, Paolo Faleschini, Renata Gilio, Walter Hoogerwerf, Jan Teunis ten Kate, Marco Lanna, Ismael Planelles Naya, Ana Rivero Esteban, Joeri Spijkers, Koen van Tienen, Pauline Trochu
• Associated Local Architect: FRES architectes
• Building Costs: 20.000.000 €
• Total Floor Area: 10.000 sqm
• Design Phase: July 2012 – July 2014
• Construction Phase: July 2014 – January 2018

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