![Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Exterior Photography, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5edf/f51b/b357/65f9/ba00/0046/newsletter/photo_SG_2019_-_VALODE_PISTRE_-_tour_st_gobains_-_la_defense_-_IMP-C-031.jpg?1591735538)
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Architects: Valode & Pistre
- Area: 49000 m²
- Year: 2019
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Photographs:Sergio Grazia, Laurent Kronental
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Manufacturers: AutoDesk, Kuraray, Saint-Gobain
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Lead Architects: Denis Valode – Jean Pistre
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Engineering: Egis, TERRELL, Artelia, Arcora, Movveo, G-Sir, Transsolar, 8’18’’
![Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Exterior Photography](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5edf/f644/b357/65e8/c800/0075/medium_jpg/photo_SG_2019_-_VALODE_PISTRE-tour_st_gobain-la_defense-IMP-D-058.jpg?1591735833)
Text description provided by the architects. The building of about 49,000 sqm on 44 floors and 165 meters high aims to achieve exemplary environmental quality with a strong emphasis on urban integration, energy performance, and user comfort.
![Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Exterior Photography, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5edf/f673/b357/65f9/ba00/004b/newsletter/photo_SG_2019_-_VALODE_PISTRE-tour_st_gobain-la_defense-IMP-D-061.jpg?1591735884)
Designing a new tower in La Défense today involves solving several issues from a wide variety of fields: functional issues (creating a flexible place and an efficient building) - technical and constructive issues (a complex site with many constraints) - the quality of living conditions in a high-rise building - urban issues (with the evolution of a business district to a more urban living model) and also symbolic issues (the headquarters of a major French company).
![Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Exterior Photography, Facade, Glass](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5edf/f613/b357/65f9/ba00/004a/newsletter/photo_SG_2019_-_VALODE_PISTRE-tour_st_gobain-la_defense-IMP-D-049.jpg?1591735789)
![Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Image 22 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5edf/f1df/b357/65f9/ba00/0043/newsletter/Valode_Pistre_Tour_Saint-Gobain_-_PLAN_GROUND_FLOOR.jpg?1591734736)
![Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Interior Photography, Glass](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5edf/f5c4/b357/65f9/ba00/0049/newsletter/photo_SG_2019_-_VALODE_PISTRE-tour_st_gobain-la_defense-IMP-D-045.jpg?1591735710)
Notwithstanding all these concerns, a tower, more than any other building, is about people and how it affects them. Emotions are expected to be felt at the sight of such a building and the architect should strive to bring about these feelings and this excitement.
![Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Exterior Photography](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5edf/f5e7/b357/65e8/c800/0074/medium_jpg/photo_SG_2019_-_VALODE_PISTRE-tour_st_gobain-la_defense-IMP-D-047_2.jpg?1591735752)
The tower’s architecture shows originality and can be compared to a grouping of three crystals capturing and scattering light with a play on reflection and transparency. The dynamic silhouette of the building, through the assembly of three oblique prisms that, in an anthropomorphic way, resembles a head, a body, and afoot, allows it to interact with the surrounding towers. The tower thus becomes a figure turning its head and slightly stooping as a sign of warm welcome.
![Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Exterior Photography, Glass](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5edf/f48d/b357/65e8/c800/0071/newsletter/photo_SG_2019_-_VALODE_PISTRE_-_tour_st_gobains_-_la_defense_-_IMP-C-003.jpg?1591735401)
Moreover, nature is given the centre stage: large greenhouses contribute to the aura and environmental performance of the building while gardens on all floors can be directly accessed from the office spaces.
![Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Exterior Photography, Glass](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5edf/f4bc/b357/65e8/c800/0072/newsletter/photo_SG_2019_-_VALODE_PISTRE_-_tour_st_gobains_-_la_defense_-_IMP-C-004.jpg?1591735445)
An efficient, functional, and flexible tower. The tower has been designed as a prime resource for the company. Divided into three distinct parts, it includes:
- a main body where all levels are devoted to office space.
- a lower part that houses such services as open access areas, including a showroom on the esplanade level.
- highest floors located in the top glazed prism,i.e. the head of the tower, which encompasses reception areas, meeting places, and the “espace plein ciel”, a stupendous gathering area with panoramic views.
![Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Exterior Photography, Patio](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5edf/f55d/b357/65f9/ba00/0047/newsletter/photo_SG_2019_-_VALODE_PISTRE-tour_st_gobain-la_defense-IMP-D-043.jpg?1591735587)
An outstanding working environment. The office floors benefit from panoramic views and enjoy strong natural lighting. Gardens can be accessed from the office spaces; although outdoors, these areas are wind-sheltered.
![Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Chair, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5edf/f596/b357/65f9/ba00/0048/newsletter/photo_SG_2019_-_VALODE_PISTRE-tour_st_gobain-la_defense-IMP-D-044.jpg?1591735653)
An environmental and energy-efficient tower. The tower's architecture has been designed with environmental concerns in mind. Spatial, architectural, and technical solutions contribute overall to the efficiency of the tower in this regard.
![Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Exterior Photography, Glass](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5edf/f7dd/b357/65e8/c800/007d/newsletter/photo_SG_2019_-_VALODE_PISTRE-tour_st_gobain-la_defense-IMP-D-072.jpg?1591736241)
A project conveying the qualities of Saint-Gobain. The Saint-Gobain holding is now a leader in the distribution of construction materials and products. Glass, however, remains an emblem of Saint-Gobain's traditional activity and thanks to its crystalline architecture, the tower emphasizes its aesthetic qualities and its properties of light transmission, thermal insulation, and low emissivity.
![Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Exterior Photography, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5edf/f726/b357/65e8/c800/0078/medium_jpg/Tour-Saint-Gobain-(45).jpg?1591736095)