Nanterre, La Défense, Paris, France
Christian de Portzamparc
Post By:Kitticoon Poopong
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Photo © Courtesy of Nicolas Borel, Wade Zimmerman |
In Nanterre, at the western extremity of the district of La Défense, this project fits into an exiguous triangular site and figures as the prow of the Valmy district. Unique and autonomous, the triangular tower unifies the
Société Générale’s block, optimizing the open spaces and preserving the light and sights in the existing towers.
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Photo © Courtesy of Nicolas Borel, Wade Zimmerman |
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aDQL_EFmtE4/TXtbXG8L_tI/AAAAAAAAoYI/CkbUkLXdmyA/s640/Tour+Granite+By+Atelier+Christian+de+Portzamparc-Photographers+Nicolas+Borel%252C+Wade+Zimmerman-01.jpg) |
Photo © Courtesy of Nicolas Borel, Wade Zimmerman |
The project was designed as a major feature of the La Défense site. It forms a tall and slender
triangular prism, like the prow marking the start of the Valmy sector.
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nzx9EsD9Oxs/TXtbSh5wU7I/AAAAAAAAoXg/aZDAaKx2aYk/s640/Tour+Granite+By+Atelier+Christian+de+Portzamparc-Photographers+Nicolas+Borel%252C+Wade+Zimmerman-04.jpg) |
Photo © Courtesy of Nicolas Borel, Wade Zimmerman |
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xVibkIInQs/TXtbWSy0VDI/AAAAAAAAoYA/FLuAPGoOXV4/s640/Tour+Granite+By+Atelier+Christian+de+Portzamparc-Photographers+Nicolas+Borel%252C+Wade+Zimmerman-08.jpg) |
Photo © Courtesy of Nicolas Borel, Wade Zimmerman |
The project occupies a triangular site and takes a dual form: a diahedral that forms the front of the complex, and prism-shaped flanks alongside the Alicante and
Chassagne towers.
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Photo © Courtesy of Nicolas Borel, Wade Zimmerman |
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9B3rDwVBeU/TXtbTe8UztI/AAAAAAAAoXo/vdCwF8Bd0eM/s640/Tour+Granite+By+Atelier+Christian+de+Portzamparc-Photographers+Nicolas+Borel%252C+Wade+Zimmerman-05.jpg) |
Photo © Courtesy of Nicolas Borel, Wade Zimmerman |
These forms combine the specific internal requirements of the project with the need to provide a strong external identity. The aim is to provide office space of optimum quality that brings together functionality, flexibility, atmosphere and comfort, while contributing a major landmark to the site that draws the area together.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xVibkIInQs/TXtbWSy0VDI/AAAAAAAAoYA/FLuAPGoOXV4/s640/Tour+Granite+By+Atelier+Christian+de+Portzamparc-Photographers+Nicolas+Borel%252C+Wade+Zimmerman-08.jpg) |
Photo © Courtesy of Nicolas Borel, Wade Zimmerman |
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ODVoJfqN640/TXtbRg6QDPI/AAAAAAAAoXY/AxhKw1gmk8M/s640/Tour+Granite+By+Atelier+Christian+de+Portzamparc-Photographers+Nicolas+Borel%252C+Wade+Zimmerman-07.jpg) |
Photo © Courtesy of Nicolas Borel, Wade Zimmerman |
The shape of the tower thus conveys a dual image: that of an independent building on the La Défense skyline, and that of a building linked to the two existing towers.
The pinnacle of the tower and the sloping roof accentuate its height, reinforcing the strong presence that stems from the building’s prime location in the landscape of La Défense and Nanterre. It acts as a focal point to pull together and add the finishing touch to the Valmy sector. This ability to draw the eye is accentuated by the tapering skyline, which is unique in the area.
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site plan--drawing © Courtesy of Christian de Portzamparc |
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floor plan--drawing © Courtesy of Christian de Portzamparc |
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lG4M17JV-4I/TXtbY5MigYI/AAAAAAAAoYg/K7Ihq6ygp8M/s640/Tour+Granite+By+Atelier+Christian+de+Portzamparc-09.jpg) |
section--drawing © Courtesy of Christian de Portzamparc |
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_UiGRUlEiWE/TXtbeZN7wOI/AAAAAAAAoZQ/VeoZSYQ_A3o/s640/Tour+Granite+By+Atelier+Christian+de+Portzamparc-16.jpg) |
elevation 01--drawing © Courtesy of Christian de Portzamparc |
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elevation 02--drawing © Courtesy of Christian de Portzamparc |
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hv42GUJJDLs/TXtbdCGnTZI/AAAAAAAAoZI/ivYpOn9HASc/s640/Tour+Granite+By+Atelier+Christian+de+Portzamparc-14.jpg) |
elevation 03--drawing © Courtesy of Christian de Portzamparc |
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elevation 04--drawing © Courtesy of Christian de Portzamparc |
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2lHeOnVilzA/TXtbcWvCqLI/AAAAAAAAoZA/XonazwEadx4/s640/Tour+Granite+By+Atelier+Christian+de+Portzamparc-13.jpg) |
diagram--drawing © Courtesy of Christian de Portzamparc |
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQjNVozi8RQ/TXtbaW1QhLI/AAAAAAAAoYw/Gh0VfA-Ybr4/s640/Tour+Granite+By+Atelier+Christian+de+Portzamparc-11.jpg) |
sketch--drawing © Courtesy of Christian de Portzamparc |
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQR4d8tJJ64/TXtbZnaSieI/AAAAAAAAoYo/K6NJyj_toTs/s640/Tour+Granite+By+Atelier+Christian+de+Portzamparc-10.jpg) |
sketch--drawing © Courtesy of Christian de Portzamparc |
The people
Architect: Christian de Portzamparc
Location: Nanterre, La Défense, Paris, France
Atelier Christian de Portzamparc Team: Karol Claverie, Bertrand Beau, Léa Xu, Marie-Elisabeth Nicoleau, Nicolas Gicquel, Cristina Pilara, Amalia Sevilla, Frédéric Lagardère, Chantal Aïra-Crouan, Christophe Eschapasse, Eric Brunel, Sébastien Menu, Thierry Wiet, Thierry Damez-Fontaine, Marion Baray, Julien Lissarargue
Surface Area: 69 000 sqm net / 226 378 sqf GFA
Land Surface Area: 2 400 sqm net / 7 874 sqf GFA
Height: 184 m / 603 ft
Floors: 45
Client: GALYBET (Sub-company of the group Société Générale)
Client Representative: ORCADIM (Sub-company of the group Société Générale)
Photographs: Nicolas Borel, Wade Zimmerman
Note>>Location in this map, It could indicate city/country but not exact address.