YOU Lot YA

Boursorama Banque has moved into its new Parisian head office in Boulogne-Billancourt designed by Studioninedots. In collaboration with Ateliers 115, Studioninedots created a robust and clear building distinguished by its subtle recesses and terraces but foremost by the striking facade that interplays rhythms of bronze-coloured blades. The bank building is situated on a section of the old Renault factory site in Paris. The plot Lot YA sits within a dense urban fabric and points with its southern tip towards the adjacent Parc Billancourt and the river Seine. This resulted in a paradox: optimal views of the park were desired but, simultaneously, incoming direct sunlight should be blocked.

Studioninedots approached the challenge with a clear solution: vertical aluminium blades. By placing them at an angle, the blades function to block sunlight during the harshest hours while retaining views. The spacing of the blades is determined by the amount of sunlight and the orientation, resulting in a large variety of facade compositions. As one moves around the building, the facades continuously change appearance. Placing the main entrance in the southern tip positions the bank prominently amongst the ‘front row’ on the park and also establishes an interesting vista through the inner court.

The building is designed to stand its place among the high rises on Avenue Pierre Lefaucheux. Utilising horizontal layers, for example in the form of recesses and terraces, connects it better to the smaller scale residential buildings in the neighbourhood. This site comprises the last large scale development within Greater Paris and will accommodate approximately 15,000 residents and occupants.

he urban plan is designed by Patrick Chavannes. Renowned architects including Jean Nouvel, Dominique Perrault, KCAP, LAN and Baumschlager&Eberle have designed individual plots. Studioninedots won the invited competition in 2012 for the development of Lot YA, which was commissioned by an innovative, open-minded client. YOU, Lot YA is the first project completed by Studioninedots in France.

Kaufman & Broad

Studioninedots
Design team: Albert Herder, Vincent van der Klei, Arie van der Neut, Metin van Zijl

Project team: Wouter Hermanns, Daniel Aw, Freddy Koelemeijer, Eliano Dias Felicio, Pedro Piernas

Engineering and project manager: Jean-Marc Saurer
Partner: Ateliers 115 Architectes, Paris: Jean-Claude Martinez, Eric Brunel
Contractor: AGB
Facade consultant: Interface: Dennis Soules, Fabrice Bourgon
Structural and services consultant: Egis