The starting point of the project was the desire to define a clear hierarchical organization of public spaces and esplanades. “Connect” was the key word in the development of this idea.

Divided into three buildings, the entities of the programme are clearly identifiable. A detailed and rich work of definition of each element, of each façade, and of each space is opposed to the simplicity of the plan.

A loggia

In order to define public spaces we designed an urban loggia, which runs across and unifies several different spaces. The loggia is a contemporary interpretation. It defines two squares, runs across and covers two amphitheatres; it becomes light, getting rid of superfluity, and expresses itself via light, rhythm, proportions. The loggia’s roofing consists of two superposed layers, one is made of glass, and the other one is made of perforated corten.

We changed the superposition of layers at the level of amphitheatres and squares, for them to stand out. Thanks to the reflexive capacity of glass, there appears movement in the design.

Synergies and identities: Building Plots a – b – c

The three entities are now easily identifiable, their synergy encompasses the squares and public spaces. The flood water area becomes an integral part of each plot’s volume, and uses its language as well.

Greenpeace: the idea of action and how it is communicated

The attempts to give the building a Greenpeace identity, to express the opposition force by means of architecture in the classical sense of the word turned out to be insufficient with regard to the image of the organization. To meet this challenge we designed the building as a tool, a symbol, a window to the world.

Greenpeace architectural projects are built around a central space. This “heart” of the project becomes a place to meet people, to have an exchange. At night, when daily activity stops, it becomes all color, image, material, a carrier of information. The building becomes a medium, a window or a screen to project images; the inside net changes colors, and there appear screens behind perforated corten.

Zero energy

Taking into consideration the strict requirements of the programme the project offers an environmental strategy that goes hand in hand with the architectural style: the atriums are used for a hybrid ventilation system, which uses solar chimneys for air circulation. Heat and air conditioning are provided by reversible air conditioning/heat pump system that connects thermo active slab to the phreatic surface.

Client: Hafencity GmBH / Cost: € 45M excl. VAT / Surface: 24900 m² / Schedule: 2011 / Structure: Batiserf Ingénierie / HEQ: Franck Boutté