BIG architects + off architecture: paris parc

'paris parc' by BIG architects + off architecture, paris, france
all images courtesy BIG architects

danish practice BIG architects and paris-based firm off architecture have collaborated to create the first place proposal 'paris parc', 
a multidisciplinary research center for the university of jussieu in paris, france. the 15,000 square meter facility dedicated to 
science and medicine will be placed between jean nouvel's institut du monde arabe and a park within the campus. strengthening the 
international appeal of the school, the building will unify scholars and the business community creating physical connections as well
as visual integration within the urban context.


front elevation

the exterior faces of the volume incline and indent to respond to the adjacent structures, opening views towards the 
landmark buildings, green spaces and optimizing natural daylight within the interior. a glass enclosed atrium mimicking 
the form of a canyon allows upper level laboratories and offices to have unobstructed sight lines between work areas.
a cascade of informal meeting spaces lead visitors to the roof terrace with panoramic views of the city skyline. oriented on 
axis with the cathedral notre dame du haut, large glass walls offer an iconic perspective while they similarly reflect the 
surrounding environment.


central canyon

'as a form of urban experiment the paris parc is the imprint of the pressures of its urban context. wedged into a
super dense context - in terms of space, public flows and architectural history - the parc is conceived as a chain
of reactions to the various external and internal forces acting upon it. inflated to allow daylight and air to enter
into the heart of the facility, compressed to ensure daylight and views for the neighboring classrooms and dormitories,
lifted and decompressed to allow the public to enter from both plaza and park and finally tilted to reflect the
spectacular view of the paris skyline and the notre dame to the parisians.' - bjarke ingels, founder, BIG


central canyon


laboratory overlooking the atrium


interior space


roof terrace


at night


(left) site outline
(right) extruded volume


facade responds to jean nouvel's building and adjacent structures


(left) outward views diagram
(right) reflected skyline within facade diagram


points of entry

(left) outdoor circulation diagram
(right) interior circulation diagram


(left) indoor public spaces diagram
(right) outdoor public spaces diagram

project info:

project: paris parc
type: competition
client: upmc university
size: 15.000 m2
location: paris, france
status: 1. prize

BIG
partners-in-charge: bjarke ingels, andreas klok pedersen
project leader: daniel sundlin
architect: gabrielle nadeau
team: camille crepin, edouard boisse, tiina liisa juuti, alexandre
carpentier

OFF
partners-in-charge: manal rachdi, tanguy vermet, ute rinnebach
project leader: daniel colin, antonio rovira
team: akram rachdi, olfa kamoon