Jean-Paul Viguier et Associés bring together the employees of SFR, one of the largest French telecommunication companies, in a brand new 130 000m² campus in Saint Denis. The project is based on the metaphor of the tree, creating an element that is in permanent growth and constantly adapts to its surroundings. From a large trunk grow out several branches opening on terraces and a vast garden extending to the upper levels.
Unity and union are the two main concepts that inspired the design of that building which can be seen as a whole, a reflection of the company’s philosophy. The trunk is a metaphor for the company’s historical anchoring while the branches represent its various activities. The complex is interconnected following a horizontal line, stimulations human contacts and communication. The relation with the environment has been emphasized : the relation between the employees and their direct work environment as well as the site’s relation to its industrial surroundings.
Facing south, a system of horizontal partitions protect the employee from the sun. The stairways have been placed facing the gardens so as to allow for a constat visuel contact with the redesigned landscape. Shared spaces are found on the ground floor of the building including several restaurants, a gym, and relaxtion areas.
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