pushed slab, paris by  MVRDV


dutch MVRDV architects have unveiled their design for the pushed slab office building at
zac gare de rungis in the 13th arrondissement of paris. the 19.000 m2 building will be one
of the first low energy buildings realised in france; with low energy consumption and an energy
production of approximately 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.

 

south view of gare de rungis office building along the boulevard kellerman, paris


the building is located on a former rail embankment of approximately 4.150m ². 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 neighbourhood, 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.

 

zac gare de rungis, overview from the south


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 controled 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.



zac gare de rungis, volume concept