AZC’s urban barn in paris contains two university auditoriums

the tight nature of the plot is reflected in the simple and compact structure, which, clad in dark timber slats, takes the form of a rural farmhouse.

philip stevens October 28, 2015 2 min

AZC’s urban barn in paris contains two university auditoriums
all images by sergio grazia

in paris’ 16th arrondissement, west of the city center, an existing urban block has been transformed into an engaging university campus containing two auditoriums. designed by local practice AZC (atelier zündel cristea), the project involved the construction of two 200-seat lecture halls and various teaching spaces for paris descartes university.

AZC atelier zundel cristea urban barn descartes university lecture theaters paris designboom
the tight nature of the plot is reflected in the simple, compact structure

the tight nature of the plot is reflected in the simple and compact structure, which, clad in dark timber slats, takes the form of a rural barn. responding to the constraints of the site, public areas of the scheme are located at ground level, with the two lecture halls found above. freeing up valuable space, service rooms are housed at the very top of the structure, made invisible and inaccessible to the public.

AZC atelier zundel cristea urban barn descartes university lecture theaters paris designboom
the structure is clad in dark timber slats, taking the form of a rural barn

in terms of its construction, standardized metal components have been used to ensure that the roof can span large distances. to the south, the top of the amphitheater is cantilevered over the ground floor spaces, which gives free space for classrooms and offices. ‘we envisioned a ‘dry’ construction, through assembling the paneling beforehand in the workshop,’ explain the architects. ‘this manner of construction allows a reduction in the time of actual construction work onsite, while solving the site’s accessibility difficulties.’

AZC atelier zundel cristea urban barn descartes university lecture theaters paris designboom
floor to ceiling glazing provides a seamless connection with external space

AZC atelier zundel cristea urban barn descartes university lecture theaters paris designboom
lecture halls are found at the upper level of the plan

AZC atelier zundel cristea urban barn descartes university lecture theaters paris designboom
standardized metal components have been used to ensure that the roof can span large distances

AZC atelier zundel cristea urban barn descartes university lecture theaters paris designboom
all public areas of the scheme are located at ground level

AZC atelier zundel cristea urban barn descartes university lecture theaters paris designboom
the new campus is located in paris’ 16th arrondissement

project info:

program: construction of two conference halls of 200 seats and teaching spaces
location: paris 16arr, france
client: université paris descartes
architects: AZC — atelier zundel cristea
partners: batiserf, louis choulet, bureau michel forgue, VS-A, batiss, altia
status: completed 2015
surface: 906 sqm