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The project is situated in the trading estate “West Side”, Pacé, France, along the main road. This strategic location ensures the necessary visibility for the success of established companies. The client wishes to create a project with a strong and distinct identity that can be easily recognized from a distance and stands out from neighboring buildings, all while respecting the site. The building was designed in a very compact manner, based on a square plan to ensure its rationality. All facades are treated similarly, giving them the same status. The offset between two floors allows for the creation of angled openings on alternate level, reinforcing the building’s exterior elegance and offering privileged panoramic views from the inside.
One challenge key was to develop a minimally invasive project, without cutting trees, in order to preserve the biodiversity. The mineral aspect of the building reinforces the haven of vegetation in which the building is inserted. The black stain used on the stamped concrete produces subtle variations in light. It is enriched by a champagne color applied to all the metalwork, providing a warm tone, and marking the rhythm of the openings. Outside spaces accommodate a green, densely planted car park featuring ten tall trees and a bocage hedge on the periphery.
Our co-design approach, which prioritizes the user’s needs, is at the core of most of our projects. In this case, this aspect is further emphasized by the fact that the client occupies one of the building's floors and has overseen the construction as building site supervisor. At every stage, the design was a collaborative effort, focusing on optimizing costs and ensuring quality of implementation during the construction phase, all while creating a sustainable and functional architecture. The number of different joinery models is kept low through the repetition of a standardized pattern. These choices reflect our commitment to creating a responsible project that respects both its immediate surroundings and the broader environment.
This three-story building includes seven divisible office spaces. Each floor benefits from a private outdoor area. The windows are uniformly distributed in a repetitive pattern across all four facades.
The building, made of concrete, with a beam-column framework enables flexibility in interior design: a requirement specified by the project owner from the project’s inception. The central placement of the circulation core and the sanitary block ensures that the main areas benefit from ample natural light.
The matte black stamped concrete imparts a unique sensory experience when encountered. The monolith building was selectively excavated to create outdoor spaces designed as settings. This relief work is accentuated by the striking contrast of the gold color on all the metalwork and the three recesses highlighting the entrance to the hall, a loggia on the first floor and a terrace on the second floor. This color contrast introduces a subtle asymmetry, granting the building a distinct appearance that varies depending on the time of day, season, or weather conditions. This choice engenders various reflections on the facades and their surroundings. This concept gives the building a refined and elegant character, providing users comfortable spaces for work and relaxation, while offering privileged views on the surrounding nature.
The search for an optimized floor plan using a beam-column framework and a square plan give this project an interesting character. Throughout the design phases, the client had the flexibility to adapt the office space division according to the occupant’s needs. In the long run, two adjacent units on the same level can be merged when required, with minor adjustments. The clever arrangement of openings also showcases the project’s ingenuity.
Atelier L2 was founded in 2013 by Julie de Legge and Pierre Lelièvre in Rennes, France. The projects are diverse, ranging from collective housing to public buildings, from new constructions to rehabilitation.
The studio places a strong emphasis on experimenting a sensitive and cohesive approach to projects combining architecture and scenography through an interdisciplinary understanding. Each project is seen as an opportunity to highlight the unique qualities of the surroundings, as well as the specific needs and aspirations of the client. To achieve this, Atelier L2 develops tailored proposals that prioritize quality, used comfort and context-sensitive integration. The studio aims to transform constraints into programmatic, technical, regulatory or environmental advantages. Consequently, Atelier L2 approaches each project by establishing straightforward guidelines rooted in common sense, ensuring they align the program, site and users.
