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Lightwell: A Union of Past and Present

An office building in La Défense redeveloped, with the existing structure improved through a sustainable, user-oriented approach

Barthélémy Griño

Lightwell in Puteaux
By Editorial Staff -

Redeveloped by Barthélémy Griño, Lightwell is an office building in Puteaux, one of the communes that make up Paris’s La Défense business district. Originally built in 1986 and named Galilée, the building has undergone a radical transformation under the ownership of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield aimed at enhancing the existing structure through a sustainable and user-centric approach.

 

Lightwell: Renovated architecture in Île-de-France

Lightwell ©Arnaud Schelstraete, courtesy of Barthélémy Griño

Combining lacquered aluminum cladding panels and extensive glazing, the façade of this ten-story building retains the rhythm of the existing structure while allowing abundant natural light to enter inside.

Lightwell ©Arnaud Schelstraete, courtesy of Barthélémy Griño

One of the key elements of the transformation is the expansion of office spaces. The northwestern façade was moved forward 2.5 m, creating a linear, open, and fully glazed frontage on the Esplanade, La Défense’s extensive pedestrian zone. A mezzanine level added to the top floor created even more new floor space.

 Lightwell ©Arnaud Schelstraete, courtesy of Barthélémy Griño

The project included the complete redesign of the building’s entrances to improve the connection with the surrounding public spaces, including the Esplanade and Cours Michelet.

Outside, the design team remodeled the arcades to bring vitality and functionality back to the heart of this city block. Inside, the project introduced an internal street and monumental atrium that traverse the entire building, adding further to the level of natural light inside.

Lightwell ©Arnaud Schelstraete, courtesy of Barthélémy Griño

 

Flexible, functional workspaces

 

New features, including the transformation of the atrium staircase into a tiered area, have created spaces for informal discussions and exchange.

Lightwell ©Arnaud Schelstraete, courtesy of Barthélémy Griño

The workspaces are complemented by a series of services intended to improve staff well-being, including a business center with a modular auditorium, a sports and wellness area, a company restaurant, and an accessible green roof with panoramic views of the city.

Lightwell ©Arnaud Schelstraete, courtesy of Barthélémy Griño

A feature of many levels, planted terraces create a local ecosystem with cool islands and places where users can connect with nature.

 

An example of urban sustainability

Lightwell ©Arnaud Schelstraete, courtesy of Barthélémy Griño

 

The project left two-thirds of the existing structure intact, therefore minimizing both waste and environmental impact. All the demolished concrete was recycled into new material, while 88% of the construction waste was also reused. Finally, 21 metric tons of stone from dismantling the old façade was recovered and transformed into terrazzo flooring for the lobby.

Lightwell ©Arnaud Schelstraete, courtesy of Barthélémy Griño

Designed to achieve HQE Exceptional and BREEAM Excellent certifications, Lightwell stands out for the use of bio-sustainable materials, such as timber, and local resources. This resulted in a 30% reduction in carbon emissions compared to constructing a new building in a less central area.

 

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Lightwell ©Arnaud Schelstraete, courtesy of Barthélémy Griño

Lightwell ©Arnaud Schelstraete, courtesy of Barthélémy Griño

Lightwell ©Arnaud Schelstraete, courtesy of Barthélémy Griño

Credits

Location: Puteaux, France
Completion: 2024
Area: 34 587 m2
Client: Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Architect: Barthélémy Griño

Consultants
Technical:
Inex
Structural: Setec Tp
Façade: T/E/S/S Atelier D’ingénierie
Landscape: D’ici Là
Acoustics: Cap Horn Solutions
Environmental: Oasiis
Quantity Surveyor: Bmf

Photography by Arnaud Schelstraete, courtesy of Barthélémy Griño

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