Paris VII University, Physics faculty, Paris 13e
The physics department is a monolith at once dense, divided, and permanent. By reducing the built masses, the volumes are freed: the ground becomes base, tower, and turret. The play on superimposed silhouettes is heightened by the use of different materials. The recesses in the façades alternate areas of zinc and terracotta. The sunlight pours into the heart of the plot through the pattern of windows of varying dimensions.
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Program
Physics faculty : teaching, laboratories, research offices, white and clean rooms, administration, library, cafeteria.
Client
EMOC
Project team
Chaix & Morel et Associés
Philippe Chaix, Jean-Paul Morel, Rémy Van Nieuwenhove, Benoit Sigros
with Itamar Krauss
and Brunehilde Ezanno, Valérie Eyquem, Morgan Kerleau, Aurélia Leclerc, Gary Masaero, Stéphane Monfort, Sophie Poussange, Niccolo' Ruggini, Béatrix de la Tour d’Auvergne
Ingérop, engineering
Gaudriot, environmental consultant
Key figures
Area : 20 000 m² SHON
Construction costs excl. VAT : 24 M €
Competition 2001 - completion 2006
Photography credits
Hervé Abbadie
Antonin Chaix
Christian Richters
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