Pushing energy efficiency: MVRDV's "Pushed Slab"
Dutch architects MVRDV and the French project developer ICADE Promotion have presented their plans for the „Pushed Slab”, a low energy office building to be erected at ZAC Gare de Rungis in the 13th arrondissement of Paris.
According to the architects, the 19.000 m2 building will be one of the first low energy buildings realised in France; with low energy consumption and an energy production of appr. 200.000 kWh per year. Construction of the 35 million Euro building is expected to start 2011.
Here is an extract from the project description by MVRDV:
“The Pushed Slab is located between two completely different urban grids: the dense city fabric of blocks and streets in the North and the loose urban fabric in the south with its clear defined and straightforward infrastructure. The design is based on the requested office program and the energy requirements. The project combines proven energy efficiency technologies with inpidual office floors and outside spaces such as patios, balconies and a garden. The building is highly flexible offering three cores and a central lobby; it can be rented out to one or various tenants without structural changes.
The building is located on a former rail embankment of approximately 4.150m2. The volume follows the site restrictions, a slab shaped volume of 150 m long and 21 m wide. An opening in the volume preserves the view of a historic building. To create this urban window and to enhance the urban quality of the neighbourhood, the slab is “pushed” until it breaks, then twisted and pushed to the south. This pushing act creates a distortion of the floors, offering multiple terraces which can be directly accessed from the work areas as well as from the external staircases. The urban window offers a large terrace on the second level. The terrace and the balconies will be furnished with trees planted in large pots, offering employees a friendly environment to relax.
The building has two faces: a calm side in dialogue with the urban fabric of the north side of Paris, and a more dynamic side facing south, rectangular to the boulevard. The building is wrapped in a skin of wood. The windows form a rhythmic ribbon, offering optimal sunning and light control of the inner spaces. To contribute to the sustainable development and taking the impact of deforestation into account, certified wood from France will be used. The climate is controled by natural ventilation; 1500m2 solar panels on the roof provide renewable energy and a grey water circuit will be applied. Blinds will be integrated in the south facade and in the cuts. The building will be insulated from the outside in order to reduce thermal bridges. The accumulation of these proven reliable techniques results in a highly efficient low energy building which leads to an energy consumption of 49 kWh per m2 per year.”
The project is part of the ZAC Gare de Rungis development, according to the mayor of the arrondissement Jerome Coumet “the first Eco-quarter of Paris, the first presented and the first to be completed.” The building is designed by MVRDV in cooperation with local architect North by North West, in a joint effort with the engineering and advisory firms ARCOBA (Saint Denis), Casso, Terrell, Vanguard and Alto, all located in Paris.
Here is an extract from the project description by MVRDV:
“The Pushed Slab is located between two completely different urban grids: the dense city fabric of blocks and streets in the North and the loose urban fabric in the south with its clear defined and straightforward infrastructure. The design is based on the requested office program and the energy requirements. The project combines proven energy efficiency technologies with inpidual office floors and outside spaces such as patios, balconies and a garden. The building is highly flexible offering three cores and a central lobby; it can be rented out to one or various tenants without structural changes.
The building is located on a former rail embankment of approximately 4.150m2. The volume follows the site restrictions, a slab shaped volume of 150 m long and 21 m wide. An opening in the volume preserves the view of a historic building. To create this urban window and to enhance the urban quality of the neighbourhood, the slab is “pushed” until it breaks, then twisted and pushed to the south. This pushing act creates a distortion of the floors, offering multiple terraces which can be directly accessed from the work areas as well as from the external staircases. The urban window offers a large terrace on the second level. The terrace and the balconies will be furnished with trees planted in large pots, offering employees a friendly environment to relax.
The building has two faces: a calm side in dialogue with the urban fabric of the north side of Paris, and a more dynamic side facing south, rectangular to the boulevard. The building is wrapped in a skin of wood. The windows form a rhythmic ribbon, offering optimal sunning and light control of the inner spaces. To contribute to the sustainable development and taking the impact of deforestation into account, certified wood from France will be used. The climate is controled by natural ventilation; 1500m2 solar panels on the roof provide renewable energy and a grey water circuit will be applied. Blinds will be integrated in the south facade and in the cuts. The building will be insulated from the outside in order to reduce thermal bridges. The accumulation of these proven reliable techniques results in a highly efficient low energy building which leads to an energy consumption of 49 kWh per m2 per year.”
The project is part of the ZAC Gare de Rungis development, according to the mayor of the arrondissement Jerome Coumet “the first Eco-quarter of Paris, the first presented and the first to be completed.” The building is designed by MVRDV in cooperation with local architect North by North West, in a joint effort with the engineering and advisory firms ARCOBA (Saint Denis), Casso, Terrell, Vanguard and Alto, all located in Paris.
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