GRANDE ARCHE, LA DÉFENSE

Centrepiece of the ‘Tête Défense’ project, the Grande Arche conceived by Johan Otto Von Spreckelsen and completed by Paul Andreu is positioned on the line of the 'axe historique' through central Paris. This hollowed-out cube of 110m high imposes its majestic form, once famed for its immaculate white Carrara marble. Thirty years later, Franklin Azzi has written a new chapter in the history of the Grande Arche 

Guided by deference but also by the need to update a building that had become functionally obsolete, the project undertook to highlight the architectural heritage, while superimposing the spirit of creation and innovation commanded by the 21^st century. Franklin Azzi proposes a dialogue between two centuries, a continuity of creation which reveals the original architecture, facilitates the mutation of the building and anticipates its future evolution.

In collaboration with Weinberg Capital Partners and Yorgo&Co, we provided the Grande Arche all the facilities that were lacking. The mission of rehabilitation and interior design which was entrusted to us involves the base up to G+3, and the ground-floor entrances, undertaken in an occupied site. The major challenges was to showcase the structure of this architectural feat, create openings and perspectives, and offer an active building base opened up to La Défense with the introduction of new services - restaurant, auditorium, concierge service, gym, bicycle parking, etc.

The agency has designed kiosks and custom furniture inspired by hospitality codes in order to bring life into the lobbies and give a human dimension to the reception areas of the tower. We also collaborated with Yorgo Tloupas on the signage and the creation of a graphic identity specific to the "Arche".

Today, this building-monument has reached a new phase of its life: shifting from a monofunctional space to a place of destination, a venue.