MVRDV
Presents Pushed Slab for Paris
Rotterdam architects MVRDV present the design for the Pushed Slab
office building at ZAC Gare de Rungis in the 13th arrondissement of
Paris. The 19,000 m2 building promises to be one of the first low energy
buildings realized in France; with low energy consumption and an energy
production of appr. 200,000kWh per year. Construction of the 35 million
Euro building commissioned by French project developer ICADE Promotion
is expected to start 2011.
The Pushed Slab is located between two completely different urban grids:
the dense city fabric of blocks and streets in the North and the loose
urban fabric in the south with its clear defined and straightforward
infrastructure. The design is based on the requested office program and
the energy requirements. The project combines proven energy efficiency
technologies with individual office floors and outside spaces such as
patios, balconies and a garden. The building is highly flexible offering
three cores and a central lobby; it can be rented out to one or various
tenants without structural changes.
The building is located on a former rail embankment of approximately
4.150m ˛. The volume follows the site restrictions, a slab shaped volume
of 150 m long and 21 m wide. An opening in the volume preserves the
view of a historic building. To create this urban window and to enhance
the urban quality of the neighborhood, the slab is “pushed” until it
breaks, then twisted and pushed to the south. This pushing act creates a
distortion of the floors, offering multiple terraces which can be
directly accessed from the work areas as well as from the external
staircases. The urban window offers a large terrace on the second level.
The terrace and the balconies will be furnished with trees planted in
large pots, offering employees a friendly environment to relax.
The building has two faces: a calm side in dialogue with the urban
fabric of the north side of Paris, and a more dynamic side facing south,
rectangular to the boulevard. The building is wrapped in a skin of
wood. The windows form a rhythmic ribbon, offering optimal sunning and
light control of the inner spaces. To contribute to the sustainable
development and taking the impact of deforestation into account,
certified wood from France will be used. The climate is controlled by
natural ventilation; 1500m2 solar panels on the roof provide renewable
energy and a grey water circuit will be applied. Blinds will be
integrated in the south facade and in the cuts. The building will be
insulated from the outside in order to reduce thermal bridges. The
accumulation of these proven reliable techniques results in a highly
efficient low energy building which leads to an energy consumption of 49
kWh per m2 per year.
The project is part of the ZAC Gare de Rungis development, according to
the mayor of the arrondissement Jerome Coumet “The first Eco-quarter of
Paris, the first presented and the first to be completed.” The building
is designed by MVRDV in cooperation with local architect North by North
West, in a joint effort with the engineering and advisory firms ARCOBA
(Saint Denis), Casso, Terrell, Vanguard and Alto, all located in Paris.
ICADE Promotion is a major player in the French property market and a
listed real-estate company, subsidiary of the Caisse des Dépôts, which
carries out business activities in property investment, development and
related services in the offices, business parks, shopping centers,
public-healthcare amenities and housing sectors.
Source: Bustler
Related links: MVRDV
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