La Défense, Paris, France
Inspired by the urban surrounding, STUDIOS Architecture, enlisted by SCI BD Guynemer, has reimagined a 1970s office building and transformed it into a dynamic and inclusive development, demonstrating design leadership and innovation-driven technical and programmatic prowess.
The studio has designed a dynamic ribbon-shaped building bringing an organic dimension to this urban setting.
Named Latitude, the building transforms the area with its unique façade, surprising in a landscape dominated by straight lines and high-rise towers.
The Latitude transformation and extension project has recently been awarded a 2022 International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
Set in a singular urban environment, between the railway and the ring road overpass, the former “Berkeley” building, and its above-ground car park has been transformed into a 22,300 square-meter office building with services, becoming a destination.
Guided by movement, transparency, and generous volumes, Latitude stands out with its dynamic and welcoming horizontality.
A landmark destination that speaks to new generations, it is intended to attract and retain talents searching for a more holistic work experience.
Visibility and access were significantly improved upon through two key interventions: a 32-meter extension has been added to the existing office building resulting in a 120-meter-long façade along the overpass.
The reconversion of the former car park into a dynamic and interactive ever-evolving ground floor has extended the base to 175 meters, creating a smooth transition to the low-rise residential area beyond.
The former car park has been transformed into a transparent and vibrant space with double and triple-height volumes, culminating at nearly 11 meters under a skylight at the heart of the building.
This active area allows for a connection between the street and the property and serves as the main entrance to the site, signaled and protected by a large canopy opening up to the plaza.
The newly created plaza, fitted out by Paris La Défense and co-designed with STUDIOS Architecture, echoes the facade’s organic volumes, improving accessibility and offering a real urban plaza that would benefit the occupants of Latitude as well as the area as a whole.
From this new plaza, the double-height lobby invites one to enter the service-driven interior street, offering a multitude of daily experiences.
The diversity of food and beverage destinations (atrium bar, food hall/salad bar, brasserie, grab & go, coffee bar) are designed for eating, living, working, and socializing throughout the day, able to serve as alternative workspaces, collaboration rooms, and reception areas.
The transformed highly flexible light-filled floor plates–extended from 1,800 to 2,200 square meters each, over eight floors–offer expansive views of the city and by overcoming technical and structural challenges, have increased the uninterrupted floor-to-ceiling height to 2.70 meters.
The total capacity of the property has been increased to accommodate 2,000 people.
Sustainability, performance, and wellbeing were strong guiding principles, and the property aims to reach HQE Exceptional, BREEAM Excellent, Effinergie +, Well V2, and Wiredscore Platinum.
Designing for a health-oriented future is further fostered by outdoor spaces on the ground floor, an accessible Japanese-inspired pocket park on the second floor, and planted roofs, improving both visual and sensorial experiences not only in the building itself but also in the neighborhood.
Project: Latitude Renovation-Extension
Architects: STUDIOS Architecture
General Contractor: Bouygues Bâtiment IdF
Developer: GCI (Générale Continentale Investissements)
Client: SCI BD Guynemer, represented by Générale Continentale Investissements (GCI)
Photographers: Arthur Weidmann and Nicolas Grosmond
