ArchShowcase 
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. La Défense District in Nanterre, France by laisné rousselJuly 16th, 2017 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: laisné roussel A CONTEMPORARY AND ACTIVE CAMPUS The Nanterre Arboretum, built for BNP Paribas Real Estate and Woodeum, designed by the François Leclercq and laisné roussel architecture firms, provides a new way of working and conducting business. Firmly focused on environmental quality and integration of new ways of working, the Arboretum will be the largest project ever built from solid wood, worldwide. Construction for this project is set to start in 2018, with the objective of transforming an industrial wasteland into a 136,000 m² campus set in 9 hectares of parkland next to the Seine. The project as a whole is also the largest services sector project under development in Île-de-France.  Image Courtesy © laisné roussel
 Image Courtesy © laisné roussel The materials, the construction method, and the use and development of the buildings have all been designed with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the life of the campus and maximising its resilience. Use of bio-sourced materials, bioclimatic design and generation of renewable (photovoltaic and geothermal) energy make this site a true model of sustainable development, thus marking a new stage in the ecological transition.  Image Courtesy © laisné roussel LOCATION – A STRATEGIC POSITION Set on the banks of the Seine, in the La Défense district and 700 m from the Nanterre University rail hub, the Papeteries de la Seine site offers the possibility of multimodal access. This location, combined with the unusual nature of a single undivided area of land of more than 17 hectares, makes it a rich resource in terms of both urban development and architectural expression.  Image Courtesy © laisné roussel In structural terms, the project’s landscaping is based on the natural dynamics of the terrain, while seeking to reconnect it to the wider landscape and integrate it into the virtuous action of enhancing sites and resources in the surrounding area (Parc du Chemin de l’Île and the Île Fleurie). With its green spaces and aquatic environments, the Arboretum forms an additional link in the green and blue metropolitan district.  Image Courtesy © laisné roussel RELAUNCHING A HISTORIC SITE IN A CONTEMPORARY WAY The site will retain its historic association with work, while adapting to new behaviours and new uses. The Arboretum offers a new way of experiencing business and thinking about work. The project consists of 5 office buildings (118,440 m²) of a new design created by the François Leclercq and laisné roussel studios. They add to the possibilities offered by the conservation and redevelopment of 2 heritage buildings that belonged to the old Papeteries de la Seine industrial site. The renovation of the 7,360 m² of historic buildings of the Workshop and the Factory has been entrusted to the studio Hubert et Roy. The necessary functions for versatile use of premises are introduced into the existing structure whilst maintaining the volumes. These spaces are intended for mixed and shared use (public/ private). They will accommodate: sports facilities, cafeteria, food court, cultural activity centres, services blocks and digital center.  Image Courtesy © laisné roussel FROM HISTORIC SITE TO INNOVATIVE CAMPUS – FEATURES The architecture of the 5 independent office buildings is that of a campus focused firmly on environmental quality and integration of new ways of working into the building design itself. The Arboretum layout is based on a simple principle: each office has a direct relationship to the site’s landscaping. This relationship is reflected in the treatment of the open spaces. An “add-on space” creates a link between the work and landscape spaces: there are genuine outside terraces as a direct extension of the offices likely to offer opportunity for additional uses. Each of the campus buildings runs along a curved line with a distribution of open spaces of different sizes staggered in a sawtooth pattern, offering a high level of flexibility. These open spaces, which can be modified as needed, will support the needs of the occupants at each stage of their development.  Image Courtesy © laisné roussel Given the way that the world of work is changing, the campus has now been established as a leading model for innovation and creativity. Users’ new expectations are radically changing the way in which management and workspaces are envisaged. Offices are changing to offer more freedom, sociability and comfort, but also a new sense of harmony with the surrounding space. Changes to the interior requirements (shared uses, flexibility, reversibility) encouraging interaction, collaboration, the informal and spontaneous, are accompanied by outside features (meeting rooms, open-air amphitheatre, work pods). These changes call for establishment of new and different approaches, introducing disruption and decontextualisation into everyday working life. To avoid obsolescence, these new ways of working need to be integrated into the building design itself. Aesthetic coherence and innovation are the primary focus; the construction method is also a strong choice in terms of respect for the environment and control of impacts.  Image Courtesy © laisné roussel CONSTRUCTION METHOD STRUCTURE These offices will be built of solid cross-laminated timber (CLT), with innovative low-carbon technology developed by Woodeum. By choosing not to use conventional reinforced concrete, the Arboretum is clearly established as a part of the ecological transition as well as being particularly warm. In aesthetic terms, wood is the link between all the new architecture on the campus. It is this dialogue between raw materials and generous gardens that gives rise to the unique quality of the campus. As an exceptional case, the ergonomic and construction qualities of the design as a whole are all the more noticeable and valuable. It should be noted that the buildings’ structures are particularly well optimised. The floor and ceiling thicknesses have been reduced as much as possible. Networks (electrical, air conditioning and heating, Internet) and acoustic flooring fit into minimal space. As a result various aesthetic options are used to give style to the spaces.  Image Courtesy © laisné roussel WORKPLACE WELL-BEING – OFFICES SURROUNDED BY NA The Arboretum is designed to offer individuals a sense of well-being (a comfortable acoustic and visual environment) as well as direct contact with nature. In sensory terms, first and foremost due to the physicality of the solid wood, and the unobstructed views provided by the tall bay windows, but also fragrances from the rarest of essential oils, from plants grown nearby.  Image Courtesy © laisné roussel The scale of the project also allows for development of a circular economic cycle based on urban agriculture. Employees will be able to be involved in initiatives to encourage biodiversity and sustainable development. A large vegetable garden and orchard produce nearly 25 tonnes of fruit and vegetables per year. The produce, grown organically with no pesticides, will be used by the on-site restaurants. The compost will be produced locally using organic waste from kitchens on-site. Rainwater will be collected and used for watering. About architecture laisné roussel is an architecture studio created in 2003 in Paris. Partners Nicolas Laisné and Dimitri Roussel have been able to bring together a multicultural and multidisciplinary team working in the fields of architecture, urban development, research and development. laisné roussel is internationally recognised, and has worked on a large variety of projects on a wide range of scales. The firm’s production ranges from individual houses to urban Master Plan.
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Categories: Building Campus, Office space, Offices |
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