Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre

Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Exterior Photography, FacadeTour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Interior Photography, GlassTour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Exterior Photography, GlassTour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Exterior PhotographyTour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - More Images+ 22

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Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Exterior Photography
© Sergio Grazia

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
© Sergio Grazia

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
© Sergio Grazia
Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Image 22 of 27
Ground floor plan
Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre - Interior Photography, Glass
© Sergio Grazia

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
© Sergio Grazia

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
© Sergio Grazia

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
© Sergio Grazia

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
© Sergio Grazia

An outstanding working environmentThe 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
© Sergio Grazia

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
© Sergio Grazia

A project conveying the qualities of Saint-GobainThe 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
© Laurent Kronental

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Project location

Address:La Défense, France

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre" 10 Jun 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/941373/tour-saint-gobain-valode-and-pistre> ISSN 0719-8884

© Sergio Grazia

巴黎拉德芳斯新作,圣戈班总部 / Valode & Pistre

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