'RATP formation center' by stéphane maupin, paris, france
images © cécile septet


french studio stéphane maupin has completed 'RATP formation center', a building that regroups
previously dispersed workshops dedicated to the maintenance of the parisian transportation system.
located in paris, france, the facility sits on the fringes of the city center in an area where the urban
fabric dissolves into heterogeneous industrial infrastructure.



view from across the railroad station at night


the unit, situated between paris' main highway, train tracks, factories, and social housing areas,
is influenced by the brutality of this urban collage where concrete pillars clash with raw material.  



entrance house


standing twenty-two meters tall, the abnormal concrete structure is governed by the triangular plot of land,
its shape bounded by a parking lot, road and train tracks. angular volumes extend from the form, adding depth
and interest to the otherwise simple footprint.



(left) north prow
(right) cantilevered stairs


each of the building's five floors hosts a different program which is arranged and organized around a central
convivial staircase. all other circulation spaces are designed as additions to the building's main structure:
footbridges, staircases and aerial lifts create a multidimensional atmosphere with varied spatial experiences.



facade


a tripod helix on the top of the unit combines the vertical chimney and light projectors.
covered in solar panels, the component - strong and forceful in its aesthetic - acts as a symbol
of the companies engagement in environmental convictions.



rooftop



aerial view of site



site plan



floor plan / level 0



floor plan / level 1



floor plan / level 2



floor plan / level 3



floor plan / level 4



floor plan / level 5



west elevation



east elevation



south elevation



section