ecdm patterns M5B3 office building with rainscreens in paris
photo by benoit fougeirol
all images courtesy of ecdm architectes

 

 

 

the ‘M5B3’ office building, designed by ecdm architectes, is located in the 13th arrondissement of paris and bound by two streets on a corner site. the volume is wrapped in an irregular patterning of rainscreens, leaving a particular arrangement of exposed glass on the façades. in an attempt to resist the tendency of commercial buildings to remain purely rectilinear and repetitive, the form incorporates angled geometries at its top; the structure’s profile facing boulevard du général jean simon is extruded to produce an asymmetrical gabled form.

ECDM architectes M5B3 offices designboom

the short elevation displays the building’s asymmetrical pitched roof form
photo by benoit fougeirol

 

 

a small public square is located on the side of the building opposite from the busy boulevard. the facility’s main entrance faces this plaza, while an elevated terrace overlooks on the fifth floor. additionally, the structures rainscreens are treated with different coloring to differentiate the elevations. on its short elevation, which faces the prominent boulevard, the metal mesh takes a white color, while all other façades feature black screens.

ECDM architectes M5B3 offices designboom

(left): the façade facing boulevard du general john simon features white colored metal mesh panels
(right): the main entrance elevation is wrapped in black rainscreens, with horizontally banded windows
photos by benoit fougeirol

ECDM architectes M5B3 offices designboom

a small public square is located on the side of the building opposite from the busy boulevard
photo by benoit fougeirol

ECDM architectes M5B3 offices designboom

the façade is visually composed of matte black panels and reflections of the building’s context
photo by benoit fougeirol

ECDM architectes M5B3 offices designboom

photo by benoit fougeirol

ECDM architectes M5B3 offices designboom

certain spaces provide expansive views of the surrounding city
photo by benoit fougeirol

ECDM architectes M5B3 offices designboom

a black and white staircase provides vertical circulation
photo by benoit fougeirol

ECDM architectes M5B3 offices designboom

photos by benoit fougeirol

ECDM architectes M5B3 offices designboom

horizontal banding of windows on the long elevation wrap the building’s corner and zig-zag across the short façade
photo by benoit fougeirol

 

drawings

ECDM architectes M5B3 offices designboom

site plan

ECDM architectes M5B3 offices designboom

floor plan / level 0

 

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project info:

 

location: rue albert einstein – paris XIII (france)
completed: 2014
program: office and commercial
surface: 6,135 sqm SHON
cost: 14 m€ b.t.
client: sogelym dixence
architect: ECDM architectes (project manager : laurent lustigman)
photography: benoit fougeirol