‘citylights’ by dominique perrault in boulogne-billancourt, france all images courtesy dominique perrault image © RSI studio / DPA / Adagp

 

 

 

internationally-recognized french architect dominique perrault has redrawn plans for the pont de sèvres towers in boulogne-billancourt, france with ‘citylights‘, a scheme to transform and re-urbanize the western suburb of paris. stripping the old façades of the pre-existing towers, the design features a double layer skin that alternates between transparency and silver shades, providing a rhythmic effect to the highly geometric structures.

dominique perrault: citylights le campus du pont de sèvres - 2 exterior overall view image © RSI studio / DPA / Adagp

 

 

 

situated close to the seine, the buildings are a composition of three towers which each serve asthe main bodies or ‘petals’ in the layout. hexagonal volumes terminate at different heights, creating a visual effect similar to an organ flues assembly. working with the original proportions and identity of the architecture, the new facade design features a ‘bracelet’ treatment which work with oblique creases and folds. the finish multiplies the reflections on all perspectives, providing vibrant and light-filled bands all around the buildings.

dominique perrault: citylights le campus du pont de sèvres - 3 from water image © RSI studio / DPA / Adagp

dominique perrault: citylights le campus du pont de sèvres - 4 gardens image © RSI studio / DPA / Adagp

 

 

 

in order to provide more connection at the natural ground level, the elevated entrance of the towers is brought back to the same level of the city. the lobby links up the buildings on three levels, offering a generous space for meetings and exchanges. within nearly 70,000 m2 of office floors, additional programs such as restaurants, cafeterias, a fitness club, a travellers’ lobby, intercompany nursery and more are offered throughout.

dominique perrault: citylights le campus du pont de sèvres - 5 entrance from the forecourt image © RSI studio / DPA / Adagp

dominique perrault: citylights le campus du pont de sèvres - 6 central hall entrance image © RSI studio / DPA / Adagp

dominique perrault: citylights le campus du pont de sèvres - 7 office floor image © RSI studio / DPA / Adagp

dominique perrault: citylights le campus du pont de sèvres - 8 view of direction room image © RSI studio / DPA / Adagp

dominique perrault: citylights le campus du pont de sèvres - 9 transparent facade image © RSI studio / DPA / Adagp

dominique perrault: citylights le campus du pont de sèvres - 10 night view image © RSI studio / DPA / Adagp

dominique perrault: citylights le campus du pont de sèvres - 11 in context image © RSI studio / DPA / Adagp

dominique perrault: citylights le campus du pont de sèvres - 12 pont de sévres today image © DPA / Adagp

dominique perrault: citylights le campus du pont de sèvres - 13 site and context image © infracom

dominique perrault: citylights le campus du pont de sèvres - 14perspective floor plan of the lower ground floor image © DPA / Adagp

dominique perrault: citylights le campus du pont de sèvres - 15 typical floorplan image © DPA / Adagp

dominique perrault: citylights le campus du pont de sèvres - 16 facades and section images © DPA / Adagp

 

 

 

project info:

 

client: SAS destours du pont de sevres promoter: BNP paris immobiliersite area: 20,000 m2 renovation and built area: 84,918 m2engineering: EGIS batiments (structure, fluid), socotec (control), EPPAG (facade), AADT (safety), RPO (economist), le sommier environment (environment consultant), veritas (control), CSD “associes (coordinator), cabinet legrand (building surveyor), c.c.i (elevator expert), G.SIR (kitchen) promoter consultant: sesame conseil interior decorator: DGID