Arsenal Tower, a Bold Vision for Sustainable Living in Dijon

Rising 57 m above the Arsenal eco-district, Arsenal Tower is a striking new landmark in Dijon. Designed by Arte Charpentier, it is the city’s first positive-energy residential high-rise, meaning it generates more energy than it consumes.

Built on a site rich in industrial history, the project is part of a 12.6-hectare redevelopment transforming a former military equipment factory and the Dijon flour mills into a dynamic urban hub.

A Sustainable Vertical Community

The Arsenal Tower is part of a broader vision for the Arsenal district in Dijon, France’s first positive-energy urban block. Comprising a residential high-rise, a tertiary sector base, and the Avenue 6 social housing complex, the development embodies a new model of sustainable living.

More than just a collection of buildings, it represents a “city within a city,” where architecture, technology, and environmental consciousness come together to improve the lives of its residents.

The Arsenal Tower and its adjoining office base share a cohesive architectural identity. This 110-home complex stands as a bold statement in Dijon’s urban fabric, illustrating an ambitious and forward-thinking housing policy.

The design prioritises bioclimatic principles, ensuring that the architecture actively contributes to energy efficiency and occupant comfort. The tower’s distinctive diamond-shaped façade is not just an aesthetic choice; it serves a functional purpose, maximising solar energy capture while minimising heat loss on the northern side.

The façade design is based on a modular system of vertical powder-coated aluminum panels, each spanning a full storey. These panels are arranged in a rhythmic interplay of diagonal elements, a unifying motif that runs across both the tower and the base, creating a dynamic visual effect.

Openings for windows, balconies, and vertical walkways are carefully integrated, responding to orientation and function while maintaining a consistent aesthetic.

Energy Efficiency as a Standard for the Future

Arsenal Tower exemplifies energy resilience. A smart home automation system helps residents optimise energy consumption, drastically reducing utility costs.

 Photovoltaic panels generate surplus electricity, while a district heating network powered by renewable energy and greywater heat recovery minimise reliance on fossil fuels. These innovations make sustainability not just an aspiration, but a tangible reality.

The integration of next-generation photovoltaic panels within the fabric underscores the project’s commitment to a future where buildings are not passive consumers but active energy generators.

A Unified Architectural Language

The light grey aluminum skin, interacting with natural light, creates subtle reflections and shifts visual effects throughout the day. The east and west façades feature large bay windows in living spaces, ensuring abundant daylight and enhancing the connection between indoors and outdoors.

A module of perforated metal sheet that slides in front of the windows gives a more dynamic and elegant architectural style to the façades.

At street level, the tower’s base aligns with Avenue Jean Jaurès, integrating seamlessly into the urban landscape. Also the office building follows the same architectural language, with alternating glass and aluminum panels that echo the tower’s vertical rhythm, creating a strong visual and conceptual connection between the two structures.

Inside, the design balances raw materiality with refined finishes. Large windows flood the interiors with natural light, enhancing the connection to the outdoors. A central wooden core links the office spaces, while sculptural wooden elements in communal areas foster a welcoming, collaborative atmosphere. The ground floor also features informal meeting spaces and coffee corners, reinforcing a sense of community of the building.

A New Urban Housing Paradigm

More than an architectural statement, Arsenal Tower sets a precedent for high-density, energy-efficient living. It demonstrates that contemporary urban housing can be both ecologically responsible and aesthetically compelling, redefining the relationship between people, technology, and the built environment.

Arsenal Tower in Dijon redefines sustainable urban living with its bold architecture, energy-positive design, and integration of innovative technologies, setting a new benchmark for high-density and yet eco-friendly housing.

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