Suresnes, France
2003
Havas Advertising Headquarters
On the way in to Suresnes, beside the Seine, this building forms part of the extension of the bridge. Situated on the quay, the former Coty perfume factory has been preserved; with its elongated bays, accentuated by bands of concrete, and its brick façades, it constitutes a valuable example of 1930s architecture.
Client
Program
Area
Planning
Client
Hines
Program
Rehabilitation and extension of an office building. Offices, conference rooms, auditorium and restaurants.
Area
22 900 m²
Planning
Delivery
2003
Between the factory and the hotels that enclose the block, the new buildings reconstruct the head of the bridge. A confrontation between two scales, and a dialogue between two architectures, the bias was towards demarcating and revealing. Behind the small brick building is an initial glass screen like a cornice, then the other buildings: the contemporary architecture asserts itself without imposing the crushing presence of a large-scale operation.
Parallel with the Seine, three parts of the building intersect with the brick volumes that laterally extend the former factory. Starting with the figure of the former factory, an alternating grid of buildings and gardens rolls out to seemingly occupy almost the whole site. The successive parts of the building follow the slope of the terrain.
Brick, the main material of the preserved building, appears in various forms – gables, bases, and fine lines inlaid in the glass – ensuring a unified reading of the ensemble. The building was thus constructed with respect for an existing architecture and asserts itself as belonging to a contemporary era.
Parallel with the Seine, three parts of the building intersect with the brick volumes that laterally extend the former factory. Starting with the figure of the former factory, an alternating grid of buildings and gardens rolls out to seemingly occupy almost the whole site. The successive parts of the building follow the slope of the terrain.
Brick, the main material of the preserved building, appears in various forms – gables, bases, and fine lines inlaid in the glass – ensuring a unified reading of the ensemble. The building was thus constructed with respect for an existing architecture and asserts itself as belonging to a contemporary era.
Tour Initiale
(ex Nobel)
(ex Nobel)