Paris PARC: BIG + OFF Win Competition to Design Sorbonne’s New Research Centre in Paris

France's leading university for science and medicine will soon have a new research centre in the heart of Paris designed by <a href="http://big.dk/" target="_blank">BIG</a> and <a href="http://www.offarchitecture.com/index.php" target="_blank">OFF Architecture</a>. The new multidisciplinary research centre, Paris PARC, will be located between Jean Nouvel’s Institut du Monde Arabe and the open green park of the Jussieu Campus. Conforming to the dense urban fabric, the building's geometry adapts to the surrounding buildings while remaining optimized for views, daylighting, and accessibility. Topped with a green roof park, Paris PARC encourages interactions amongst the researchers as well as a more visceral connection to the city itself.

Like a mirror, the stealthy building seeks to blend into its environs and fits into the dense context of university buildings from different historical periods.

Located in the visual axis of the Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris PARC opens up towards the square of Institut du Monde Arabe and the park.

The building's geometry folds and bends in order to be a good neighbor, but is still optimized for natural daylighting inside and views from the inside.

A central canyon cuts through the middle of the building providing access from one side to the other as well as a way for light to infiltrate into the heart of the research labs.

The atrium also hosts a variety of informal meeting spaces to encourage interaction and a public staircase winds up through the building and looks in on the laboratories.

Transparent walls ensure visual connections between labs and office spaces as well as infiltrate natural light.

The staircase leads up to a faculty club and a public rooftop terrace, which is covered in vegetation and offers up panoramic views towards the Notre Dame and the skyline of Paris.

BIG and OFF are collaborating with Buro Happold for engineering, Michel Forgue consultants and environmental engineer Franck Boutte on the 15,000 sq meter research centre for Sorbonne’s Scientific university Université Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris.

Bent inwards to address the nearby university.

The other side also bends to minimize the visual impact on surrounding buildings.

Angled facades still allow for views out of the building.

The cathedral is reflected off the mirror finished facade.

A canyon through the center allows people to pass through and interact within the space.