CentraleSupélec

The program includes a wide range of functions, from dining areas, lecture halls, and classrooms to private offices and laboratories. The main challenge was to organize these diverse spaces while ensuring clear wayfinding and overall coherence, so as not to disrupt the flow.

The creation of a central hall, the heart of the building, provides areas for breaks, work, dining, and interaction—encouraging encounters and serendipity.

Common areas gradually extend from the hall, the most frequented central zone, to each wing of the building. These spaces are thoughtfully integrated into the existing structural “grid” to enhance it and avoid any unnecessary demolition.

This organization, a true guiding thread, weaves a spatial and symbolic link between the different entities while giving them a shared identity.

Central Volume and Hall Serving Exchange

The surrounding terrain of the Breguet building had to adapt to an old and complex landscape context, requiring numerous modifications. The resulting level differences complicate the building’s accessibility and its connection to the outside.

The lack of visual transparency and physical porosity between the various spaces in most of the building creates fragmentation, further intensified by the limited presence of natural light in circulation areas.

A Central Volume – the Hall

The concept begins with the transformation of the constructed void located at the heart of the built complex. The goal is to turn it into a covered “capable volume” that enhances the user experience within the building.

This approach draws inspiration from reference buildings such as Centraal Beheer by Herman Hertzberger (1980s), HSBC HQ by Norman Foster (1980s–90s), and the Axel Springer Campus by OMA / Rem Koolhaas (2020). These three examples share a common goal: to ensure optimal spatial communication within the building, acoustically protected by sound-absorbing measures.

The hall concept offers clear visibility of activities, enlivens the space, inspires researchers and students, and creates a unique area for exchange.

The approach taken lies at the intersection of several key challenges. First, environmental, with the carbon impact avoided by not producing new materials, the reduction of waste generated, and the decreased pressure on natural resources. Second, economic, with a significant cost associated with waste recovery on the project, as well as improved sorting and reduced quantities to manage.

The first step involves identifying potential resources for reuse on site. Next, the future of the removed elements is studied to find a second life for them within the project, either through reuse or material repurposing. The goal is to maximize on-site reuse and thus control the entire process while avoiding carbon emissions.

White Concrete Panels

The white concrete panels are emblematic of CentraleSupélec’s architecture. We are reusing these panels on the new façades of the project to preserve overall architectural coherence as much as possible. Panels that are removed and not reused for their original purpose may be repurposed for outdoor furnishings such as benches, steps, bleachers, or stepping stones.

Metal Elements

The existing building contains a significant amount of metal components (metal ceiling tiles, metal radiator covers), which we are recycling to reduce waste. The metal radiator covers will be repurposed to create adjustable ceiling slats for meeting spaces in the business areas, similar to bioclimatic pergolas.

Chalkboards

As teaching practices evolve, the need for chalkboards in classrooms is diminishing. We propose to support the transformation of this educational building by converting these elements into chalkboard panels for a coworking-style layout that students can make their own.

Timber Structure

With over 305 tons of material, the glued laminated timber structures represent a major resource in this project. We aim to extend the life of this high-quality material by reworking it into trusses and reused joists to construct the framework of Block 13.

Travertine Flooring

In excellent condition, the travertine still has a long residual lifespan. Reusing this flooring material is a sensible choice. After testing removal and reinstallation with cement mortar, we propose to reuse it either as full tiles or as terrazzo in case of breakage during removal.

Cable Trays

From a technical standpoint, cable trays are inert elements that do not wear out and have not been affected by regulatory changes for decades. They are therefore easily reusable. We have prioritized reuse for the same purpose, which is more sustainable than a carbon-emitting recycling process.

The guiding principle of this renovation was to maximize energy performance while respecting the original architectural intent. To preserve the minimalist identity of the white precast concrete façades, interior insulation was chosen. The glazed grid has been enlarged to improve thermal performance and natural light. Additionally, this new grid includes Italian-style windows that enhance user comfort by allowing natural ventilation. These windows can also be left open to enable night-time ventilation.

Solar protection is provided by reflective blinds installed on the interior. These are automatically controlled on the most exposed façades to manage solar gain according to the time of day. All non-accessible roofs are either greened or equipped with photovoltaic panels.