Page 140 - AIT0417_E-Paper

BÜRO UND VERWALTUNG • OFFICE BUILDINGS INNERE WERTE • INNER VALUES
Bestehende Stützen und Träger bilden eine Betonpergola. • Existing supports and pillars form a concrete pergola. grain warehouse. The building was to become not only the new headquarters of the
Die Innenhöfe sind mit Lärchenholz ausgeführt. • Larch wood is installed in the patios.
Les Magasins Généraux vor dem Umbau. • Les Magasins Généraux before the conversion.
Grundriss 2. Obergeschoss • Floor Plan Level +2
140 • AIT 4.2017
T he Paris banlieues have a bad reputation. The exterior perception is mainly influ-
enced by the crime rate, unemployment and poverty which exists there among
the predominantly immigrant residents. This image, however, may soon change, with
the city of Pantin playing a kind of pioneer role. Located in the north east of Paris, the
architectural landscape of this city is typically characterized by high-rise estates in pre-
fabrication construction. They were built in the 1960s in the wake of the economic ups-
wing in France. The buildings at Canal de L’Ourcq, however, are from a different
period: They testify to the significance of the former shipping canal for transporting
goods at the beginning of the 20th century. The same goes for Les Magasins Généraux
preserved as an icon of industrialization. Constructed between 1929 and 1931, until its
closing, the reinforced-concrete building served above all for storing grain and flour
and also as a customs office. In the meantime used by the local street-art scene as a
surface for artistic creations, like other industrial monuments on the Canal de L’Ourcq
it was eventually given a new utilization as part of the “Grand Paris” project. By upgra-
ding the existing fabric, the latter has the objective of turning the banlieues into a new
home with creative potential, innovation and economic growth. The new owner BETC
commissioned the Jung Architectures office with converting and renovating the former
marketing agency but, at the same time, also a place of inspiration and joint experi-
menting as well as a meeting place of creative minds. The aim of the renovation- and
conversion measure was to combine the standards and requirements of the future
users with the existing building structures and thus to preserve the building’s rough
and yet charming industrial look as well as its function as a landmark at the Canal de
L’Ourcq. The concrete grid façade lined with bricks had the graffiti works of art remo-
ved and was restored. The same approach was used for the balconies whose expres-
sive-curved form is owed to the art déco influences prevailing at the time when the
building was constructed. They are largely responsible for the striking appearance of
the building. Also renovated were all the concrete supports and pillars whose dimen-
sions come particularly into their own in the newly designed and planted roof garden.
This is suitable for breaks or for informal meetings with a view of the city – framed by
the impressive concrete pergola. Two patios admit daylight into the building’s interior
and, with larch-wood cladding, add a warm contrast to the cool and rough concrete.
New solutions for a varied work environment
The play with contrasts to the existing fabric is continued inside as well. Here above
all natural and warm materials such as felt, fabric and wood were used. The T&P
Work Unit agency, which was substantially involved in the interior design, invited
ambitious young designers to develop customized furniture and spatial situations
which make various ways of working possible – be it on one’s own or in groups. The
result: The open-plan office landscape simply bursts with ideas. For joint working in
small groups, for instance, the employees can enjoy an elevated seating position on
the stepped monolithic block or hold meetings of up to 20 people at one of the long
rows of tables. For concentrated working or a setting for quiet meetings, completely
closed cubes with a luminous ceiling and placed in the room are available. Round
berths, separated by ropes – with a velvety texture reminding of chenille yarn – offer
individual workstations for working in privacy. The employees can completely live out
their artistic dispositions in the so-called Le Garage: a section in the building where
films, music and design can be produced. In the Le Kartz café and the La Cantine
restaurant, organic dishes are served for occasional breaks. But the building not only
provides space for various modes of working for the 900 employees of BETC, the
ground floor is completely open to the public – the neighbours thus also profit from
the conversion of the building. For them, there is for instance now the possibility of
participating in workshops in La Grande Salle, of networking with other creative minds,
of dining in the restaurant or of enjoying live music in the concert- and event area.
Schnitt • Section