New SNCF traffic control builing in Pantin, Paris by SCAPE agency

Article source: SCAPE agency 

The building will house the RER E Single Control Center and the Paris-Est Centralized Traffic Control as its extension for the Substation Central Unit.

The SNCF has elected SCAPE Agency as winner of a competition for a building in Pantin housing the RER E Single Control Center, the Paris-Est Centralized Traffic Control (and its extension for the Substation Central Unit).

Image Courtesy © Marco Tripodi

• Architects: SCAPE agency
• Project: New SNCF traffic control builing
• Location: Pantin, Paris
• Photography: Marco Tripodi

Image Courtesy © Marco Tripodi

The project is divided into three functional entities:

• the unit dedicated to the offices and the training (UF5) on three levels
• the unit consisting of an operation room and technical installations on two levels
• the substation central unit on three levels

The building conveys a clear, unitary image: a tall stone monolith which lets appear two brass blocks.

The building envelope is a device that enables the aesthetic connection between the rail lines landscape and Pantin City. The enclosure frame is made of long, flat stones evoking the rail lines with the plastic strength of an urban façade. The façade features some openings that reveal the indoor vegetation and contribute to incorporate the site into the suburban space.

Image Courtesy © Marco Tripodi

The roof – fifth façade of the building – houses a garden for the users. The stone blades frame is modeled on the vegetated areas.

Several patios, located between the units, ensure a natural lighting and a good overview of the spaces. Two footbridges link directly the three units in order to maintain the functional continuity between them.

The natural light in the operations room, essential for the comfort of the operators, is zenithal.

Image Courtesy © SCAPE agency

Image Courtesy © SCAPE agency

About SCAPE agency 

SCAPE is an Italian architecture firm with offices in Rome and Paris that has made Internationalisation its main strength. Conceived as an idea in May 2002 by Ludovica Di Falco, Francesco Marinelli and Paolo Mezzalama, the firm –scape s.p.a. was concretely established in 2004. Alessandro Cambi joined as fourth partner in 2005.

Since opening, SCAPE has oriented itself towards both Italian and foreign markets, taking part in numerous architectural competitions in Europe and often beyond the confines of the European Community. The first point of arrival for the company’s strategy of openness was setting up an office in Paris in 2008 and the foundation of a French architecture firm, Offscape s.a.s., in 2013.

Today SCAPE works mainly in Italy, France and Switzerland and is organising itself to engage with new markets in a consolidated manner.

Image Courtesy © SCAPE agency

Image Courtesy © SCAPE agency

Image Courtesy © SCAPE agency

Tags: Pantin, Paris

Category: Control Centre

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 10th, 2016 at 7:04 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.