The final touches are still being added at #Cloud.Paris, but this 38,000 sq m office complex, located within walking distance from the Bourse and Opéra Garnier, is already almost fully let. Exane, one of major European investment companies, Blablacar, the leader in long-distance ride-sharing services, and the French division of Facebook will soon all be housed here, confirming the area as a hotspot for finance and digital businesses.
Initiated by SFL, one of France's oldest real estate companies (now expanding into prime office development), #Cloud.Paris was a major design challenge. Taking up a whole urban block, the site used to house the headquarters for the Credit Lyonnais bank and needed to be completely rethought.
Architect Philippe Chiambaretta, the principal at PCA - STREAM and the design brains behind the project, describes the site as a constellation of buildings from different periods, with obsolete technical infrastructure, narrow shapeless courtyards, and three 'blind' underground levels.
This needed to be transformed into an attractive property for an extremely demanding workforce. After all, recent surveys show that the Millennials want to work in the city centre rather than business parks - so much so that they are likely to reject a job that lacks in workspace quality. As a result, everything had to be rethought in the office property world; from location and size, to optimising rental costs through highly flexible designs.
SFL and Chiambaretta did not shy away from a bold approach. Half of the existing structures on site were demolished and replaced by a design that brings all elements together, with large courtyards, where white and reflective surfaces maximise natural light. Extended below ground, the new courtyards bring daylight deep into the lower levels, which now host a conference centre and three restaurants. Bright white facades maintain the original grid while creating a crisp contemporary rhythm. The main entrance is located in the meticulously restored historic part of the facade.
There is also an atrium outfitted by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance. Seen as a kind of village square, the atrium houses a flock of micro-architectural objects whose organic shapes were 'modelled by the constant flow of people', explains the designer. These pods offer different levels of privacy, suited for a quick chat, a phone call or an informal meeting.
Three levels of planted roof terraces provide spectacular Paris views, connecting users to the locale's history. In fact, rooftop terraces - as well as staff canteens - were available even in the old Credit Lyonnais' offices, from as far back as the early 1900s, proving that quality workspace has a long track record here.
Bright white facades maintain the old buildings' original grid, while creating a crisp contemporary rhythm
The complex sits a stone's throw from the Bourse and Opéra Garnier, right at the heart of Paris
The floorplates were opened up and large openings ensured natural light penetrates deep inside the structure
The complex features an atrium at its heart, outfitted by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance
Three levels of planted roof terraces provide spectacular Paris views...
...connecting #Cloud.Paris' users to the locale's rich history
INFORMATION
For more information visit the Philippe Chiambaretta website
Photography: Clément Guillaume
-
Two new books examine the art of the logo, from corporate coherence to rock excessPentagram’s new book reveals 1,000 brand marks, while the art of the band logo is laid bare in Logo Rhythm
-
Art, culture, watches & jewellery editor Hannah Silver’s gift guideFrom a Beryl Cook cushion to an offbeat diamond ring, there's something for everyone on this Wallpaper* editor's gift guide, embracing art, culture and style
-
Feldspar makes its mark on Mayfair with a festive pop-up at Corinthia HotelDevon-based bone china brand Feldspar makes its first foray into shopkeeping with a pop-up at London’s Corinthia Hotel. Ali Morris speaks with the founders and peeks inside
-
Explore wood architecture, Paris' new timber tower and how to make sustainable construction look ‘iconic’A new timber tower brings wood architecture into sharp focus in Paris and highlights ways to craft buildings that are both sustainable and look great: we spoke to project architects LAN, and explore the genre through further examples
-
A transformed chalet by Studio Razavi redesigns an existing structure into a well-crafted Alpine retreatThis overhauled chalet in the French Alps blends traditional forms with a highly bespoke interior
-
La Grande Motte: touring the 20th-century modernist dream of a French paradise resortLa Grande Motte and its utopian modernist dreams, as seen through the lens of photographers Laurent Kronental and Charly Broyez, who spectacularly captured the 20th-century resort community in the south of France
-
Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain unveils plans for new Jean Nouvel buildingFondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain has plans for a new building in Paris, working with architect Jean Nouvel
-
Discover Tempe à Pailla, a lesser-known Eileen Gray gem nestled in the French RivieraTempe à Pailla is a modernist villa in the French Riviera brimming with history, originally designed by architect Eileen Gray and extended by late British painter Graham Sutherland
-
At Lee Ufan Arles, tension and calm guide relationships between space and artLee Ufan Arles opens in the south of France, a collaboration between the famed Korean artist and Japanese architect Tadao Ando
-
A new era: Centre Pompidou architects discuss their bold 2030 plansPlans for the Centre Pompidou 2030 vision were recently announced, revealing a design refresh of the iconic Paris structure; we caught up with its lead architects Moreau Kusunoki to hear more
-
The Grand Paris Express, Europe’s largest urban design project, is en route to successThe Grand Paris Express is a system of new rapid transit lines across the French capital, with each station designed by a different architect – and it's currently under construction
