Public Condenser in France

Low-cost flexible university building

Public Condenser in France

Low-cost flexible university building

  • 1 / 11

    Project update – Public Condenser: Low-cost flexible university building, Paris, France

    Completed in January 2016, the 2,000 square-meter “urban shelf” is organized using the idea of “vertical diversity”.

  • 2 / 11

    Global finalist entry 2015 - Public Condenser: Low-cost flexible university building

    The building provides very different kinds of spaces, ensuring that indoor as well as outdoor areas may be used for very different purposes.

  • 3 / 11

    Global finalist entry 2015 - Public Condenser: Low-cost flexible university building

    The "Public Condeser" is publicly funded and in response to the low construction budget, detailing has been kept to a minimum. This economical approach has allowed for the inclusion of a generous public square, ensuring a planted pedestrian connection with the existing academic buildings next to the site. Construction has started in October 2014, with completion planned for December 2015.

  • 4 / 11

    Project entry 2014 Europe – Public Condenser: Low-cost flexible university building, Paris, France

    South façade on the plaza.

  • 5 / 11

    Project update – Public Condenser: Low-cost flexible university building, Paris, France

    The project design minimizes the volume of materials used in construction, as well as taking maintenance and long-term reliability into account.

  • 6 / 11

    Project entry 2014 Europe – Public Condenser: Low-cost flexible university building, Paris, France

    East façade.

  • 7 / 11

    Project entry 2014 Europe – Public Condenser: Low-cost flexible university building, Paris, France

    The staircase offers a continuous public space to connect the layering of independent programs.

  • 8 / 11

    Project entry 2014 Europe – Public Condenser: Low-cost flexible university building, Paris, France

    Sections.

  • 9 / 11

    Holcim Awards 2014 Europe ceremony, Moscow, Russia

    Presentation of the Holcim Awards Silver 2014 Europe for “Public Condenser: Low-cost flexible university building, Paris, France” (l-r): project author Gilles Delalex, Muoto, Paris; Ronan Venetz, Counsellor for transport, industry and sustainable development, Embassy of France in Moscow; Gerard Letellier, CEO Holcim France; Roland Köhler, Member of the Executive Committee responsible for Group region Europe, Holcim Ltd, Switzerland.

  • 10 / 11

    Holcim Awards Europe 2014 media breakfast

    A team from Muoto architects (France) including Gilles Delalex won the Holcim Awards Silver 2014 for Public Condenser: Low-cost flexible university building, Paris, France. The jury acknowledged the minimal deployment of architectural and technical means that is resilient and adaptable to future needs.

  • 11 / 11

    Project entry 2014 Europe – Public Condenser: Low-cost flexible university building, Paris, France

    Yves Moreau, Thomas Wessel-Cessieux and Gilles Delalex.

  • Awards Building Better Recognition 2017–2018 Europe
  • Awards Silver 2014–2015 Europe

Lieu de vie on the new Paris-Saclay university campus hosts a mix of activities including indoor and outdoor sports facilities, food outlets and various public spaces across more than 4,000 sq m of floor area.

By Thomas Wessel-Cessieux, Gilles Delalex, Yves Moreau - Muoto, Paris, France

Ideas: Circular Design, Economic & Social Empowerment

Conceived as a minimal structure using rough materials, robust and long lasting techniques, the “urban shelf” is organized vertically with its different activities superimposed on one another, using the roof as a panoramic playground for football and basketball games.

The Lieu de vie campus hub at the University of Paris-Saclay was opened in January 2016 and formally handed over to the university on May 31, 2016.

Public Condenser in France

Project authors

  • Project entry 2014 Europe – Public Condenser: Low-cost flexible university building, Paris, France
    Thomas Wessel-Cessieux

    Muoto

  • Gilles Delalex

    Muoto

  • Project entry 2014 Europe – Public Condenser: Low-cost flexible university building, Paris, France
    Yves Moreau

    Muoto

The elegant design merges economic and aesthetic considerations – a low-cost structure turning a limitation into a quality. Holcim Awards 2014 jury for Europe

Public Condenser: Low-cost flexible university building, Paris, France

This mixed-use shared facility on the Paris-Saclay university campus encourages the interaction and encountering of various populations who live in close proximity to one another, but rarely interact.

Conceived as a minimal structure using rough materials, robust and long lasting techniques, the 2,000 square-meter “urban shelf” is organized using the idea of “vertical diversity”. Different activities are superimposed upon one another including a 1,000-seat student cafeteria, fitness and weights rooms, a lively terrace, all crowned with a panoramic sportsground on the roof that is used for football and basketball games.

Large windows allow the building to be opened up to create public space, and a thoroughfare on the ground floor encourages easy access and the flow of people throughout this social hub of university life. After decades of planning the University of Paris-Saclay campus is now open. Dubbed the “French Silicon Valley”, the ambitious new site on the outskirts of Paris brings together 19 higher education institutions.

Project Status: Completed May 2016

Project updates