french firms laisné roussel and françois leclercq architectes have revealed plans for the world’s ‘largest solid wood project’. dubbed the ‘nanterre arboretum’, the vast scheme will transform an area of industrial wasteland on the outskirts of paris into an environmentally friendly campus. the plans include 136,000 square meters of office space set in nine hectares of riverside parkland.

laisne roussel nanterre arboretum wooden office campus paris
the scheme is the world’s ‘largest solid wood project’
image by weiss images (also main image)/ all images © laisné roussel / françois leclercq

 

 

commissioned by BNP paribas real estate and woodeum, the ‘nanterre arboretum’ has been collaboratively designed by laisné roussel and françois leclercq architectes. located in paris’ western suburbs, on the banks of the river seine, the project seeks to cater to new ways of working, with spaces designed to accommodate a range of potential programs.

laisne roussel nanterre arboretum wooden office campus paris
the offices are to be built from solid cross-laminated timber
image by virgin lemon

 

 

the offices are to be built from solid cross-laminated timber (CLT), providing a visual link between the site’s old and new architecture. ‘it is this dialogue between raw materials and generous gardens that gives rise to the unique quality of the campus,’ says the design team. ‘as an exceptional case, the ergonomic and construction qualities of the design as a whole are all the more noticeable and valuable.’

laisne roussel nanterre arboretum wooden office campus paris
floor-to-ceiling windows provide an abundance of natural light
image by vincent vacker

 

 

from an environmental standpoint, the solid wood used is 100% recyclable and is almost entirely a natural and renewable resource. throughout the scheme, floor and ceiling thicknesses have been reduced as much as possible, with services and acoustic flooring fitting into a minimal space. as well as five new office buildings, the project also comprises two industrial structures, which will be completely overhauled. once complete, the existing workshop and factory will house sports facilities, food outlets, and cultural activity centers.

laisne roussel nanterre arboretum wooden office campus paris
the environmentally friendly campus will include 136,000 square meters of office space 
image by virgin lemon

 

 

‘the materials, the construction method, and the use and development of the buildings have all been designed with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the life of the campus,’ add the architects. ‘the use of bio-sourced materials, bioclimatic design and the generation of renewable (photovoltaic and geothermal) energy make this site a true model of sustainable development.’

laisne roussel nanterre arboretum wooden office campus paris
produce for the development’s restaurants will be grown on-site
image by morph

 

 

it is also hoped that a large garden and orchard will produce nearly 25 tonnes of fruit and vegetables each year. the produce, grown organically with no pesticides, will be used by the restaurants on-site. in addition, compost will be produced locally using organic waste from the kitchens, while rainwater is to be collected and used for watering the plants. a planning application has been submitted for the project, with construction expected to start in 2018.

laisne roussel nanterre arboretum wooden office campus paris
the buildings are bordered by an expansive area of parkland
image by morph

laisne roussel nanterre arboretum wooden office campus paris
flexible offices seek to cater to new ways of working
image by morph

laisne roussel nanterre arboretum wooden office campus paris
spaces have been designed to accommodate a wide range of potential programs
image by weiss images

laisne roussel nanterre arboretum wooden office campus paris
a planning application has been submitted for the project, with construction expected to start in 2018
image by weiss images

 

 

project info:

 

location: nanterre, france
architects: françois leclercq, laisné roussel
contractor: woodeum, BNP paribas immobilier
project manager: paul laigle, vânia leandro
project team: leticia martinez velasco, hugo chevassus, elisa vernazza, guillaume baillard, alejandro sahuquillo, cécile villerio, alexandre lezé, delphine baldé, jérôme couatarmanach
BET: terrell (structure), barbanel (fluids)
landscaper: BASE
renderings: virgin lemon, weiss images, morph, vincent vacker
area: 136,000 sqm
status: building permit application submitted

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