The search for abstraction as urban landmark. Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA
25/04/2023.
[Montreuil] France
metalocus, ANTONIO CORREDERA
metalocus, ANTONIO CORREDERA
French architecture practice, DCA has completed the rehabilitation of an old office building in Montreuil, located in a commune in the eastern suburbs of the French capital, which is 6.6 km from the centre of Paris, in the department of Seine-Saint-Denis, forming part of the Métropole du Grand Paris.
The reform of this building represents an opportunity to reactivate this urban area. The project consists of the comprehensive rehabilitation of an independent office building that is part of a large complex made up of facilities, homes and commercial premises, a notable example of a building on slab, signed by Claude Le Goas, an urban planner from the city of Montreuil between 1958 and 1990.
Formally, the offices are in a singular situation: a cubic structure superimposed on a base of commercial premises, their volume dictates the particular topography of the site and, paradoxically, they assume a stronger and more noticeable presence than the surrounding residential towers.
The reform of this building represents an opportunity to reactivate this urban area. The project consists of the comprehensive rehabilitation of an independent office building that is part of a large complex made up of facilities, homes and commercial premises, a notable example of a building on slab, signed by Claude Le Goas, an urban planner from the city of Montreuil between 1958 and 1990.
Formally, the offices are in a singular situation: a cubic structure superimposed on a base of commercial premises, their volume dictates the particular topography of the site and, paradoxically, they assume a stronger and more noticeable presence than the surrounding residential towers.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Site plan. Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA.
Existing ground floor plan. Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA.
Project ground floor plan. Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA.
Existing first floor plan. Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA.
Project first floor plan. Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA.
Existing typical floor plan. Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA.
Project typical floor plan. Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA.
Existing top floor plan. Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA.
Project top floor plan. Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA.
Section A. Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA.
Section B. Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA.
Detail. Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA.
Detail. Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA.
Detail. Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
The renovation by DCA focused on the building that emerges in one of the corners of the two-story shopping area that is shaped like a square ring. This unique position gives it a privileged view in a central area whose transformation aims to become the engine reactivation of the area.
The architectural proposal involved an interesting investigation, to find a technical solution and a formal language that would allow the building envelope to be treated as a whole. The materialization of this abstraction involved the creation of a double metallic skin of anodized aluminium that surrounds the building, giving it a new urban image and, at the same time, allowing it to reduce the incidence of solar radiation and thus optimize the comfort of the occupants.
The modulation of the mesh is projected to be seen at two scales: from a near vision and from a far one. Perceived from afar as an evanescent gauze, details emerge as the observer gets closer, and each element functions as a pixel in a general image.
The architectural proposal involved an interesting investigation, to find a technical solution and a formal language that would allow the building envelope to be treated as a whole. The materialization of this abstraction involved the creation of a double metallic skin of anodized aluminium that surrounds the building, giving it a new urban image and, at the same time, allowing it to reduce the incidence of solar radiation and thus optimize the comfort of the occupants.
The modulation of the mesh is projected to be seen at two scales: from a near vision and from a far one. Perceived from afar as an evanescent gauze, details emerge as the observer gets closer, and each element functions as a pixel in a general image.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Description of project by DCA
Freed from interpretative frameworks of conventional architecture, a building can emerge as a sculpture, with aspirations to become a new local landmark.
The project involves the total renovation of a standalone office building which forms part of a vast complex of facilities, residences and shops. This is a remarkable example of the signature podium-city planning of Claude Le Goas, an urban planner in the town of Montreuil from 1958 to 1990. In formal terms, the offices occupy a singular location: as a cube structure perched on a crown of commercial premises, their volume dictates the particular topography of the site and, paradoxically, they assume a stronger and more remarkable presence than the surrounding residential towers.
The offices are in-shot, all the time and from any point, even when the towers are lost from view. The offices thus constitute a symbol and benchmark for the district. Their refurbishment provides the opportunity to establish them as a landmark which symbolizes the renewal of the district.
Rehabilitation of an office building by DCA. Photography by Guillaume Guerin.
Our approach has involved the identification of a language which will allow the shell structure to be treated as a whole, with no detailing of architectural elements. Parapets, frame structures, and even the distinction of storeys have been eliminated to create an abstract style. The embodiment of this abstraction involves the creation of a double skin which envelops the building. We have proposed a double metal skin of anodized aluminium, conceived and designed as a lacework structure for the management of solar inputs throughout the year, thereby optimizing the comfort of occupants.
The meshwork motif is designed to be viewed on two scales: near vision and far vision. Perceived from afar as an evanescent gauze, detail emerges as the viewer approaches, with each element functioning as a pixel in an overall image.
More information
Architects
DCA. Architects.- Nicolas Chausson, Jiaoyang Huang, Marie-Hélène Habib.
Area
7,500 m².
Dates
Competition.- 2019.
Completion.- 2023.
Location
Bd. Chanzy, Montreuil, France.
Photography
Nicolas Chausson, Jiaoyang Huang. DCA
DCA (Design Crew for Architecture) office was founded in 2007, after winning the Europan 8 competition for the site in Prague by the architects, Nicolas Chausson and Jiaoyang Huang.
The office has also been able to forge substantial experience in the field of rehabilitation, mainly in educational buildings, working with public sector owners.
DCA employs an architectural vocabulary with no preconceptions, driven by a pragmatic attitude, unconstrained by any dogmatic straightjacket. Projects are conceived in pursuit of overall coherence and a manifest quality dictated by their specific contingencies. DCA can lay claim to a discipline which shapes its architectural expression and permits the delivery of forms and aesthetics which are subject to a constant process of renewal. The project for the reinstatement of the La Fontaine primary school in Montmorency (95), delivered in 2017, is an emblematic example.
Multicultural, innovative, creative, experienced and reliable, DCA has an impeccable grasp of its function as architects and has been awarded a number of prizes.
The office has also been able to forge substantial experience in the field of rehabilitation, mainly in educational buildings, working with public sector owners.
DCA employs an architectural vocabulary with no preconceptions, driven by a pragmatic attitude, unconstrained by any dogmatic straightjacket. Projects are conceived in pursuit of overall coherence and a manifest quality dictated by their specific contingencies. DCA can lay claim to a discipline which shapes its architectural expression and permits the delivery of forms and aesthetics which are subject to a constant process of renewal. The project for the reinstatement of the La Fontaine primary school in Montmorency (95), delivered in 2017, is an emblematic example.
Multicultural, innovative, creative, experienced and reliable, DCA has an impeccable grasp of its function as architects and has been awarded a number of prizes.
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