This Ginormous Orange Cube is an Architecture + Design Showroom In Lyon

Posted By Bridgette Meinhold On February 11, 2011 @ 11:30 am In Architecture,Sustainable Building | No Comments

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This fantastically bright orange cube ^[6] on the banks of the Saône River in Lyon, France may look like a giant toddler's toy, but it's actually an office and cultural center designed to showcase architecture and design and help invigorate the docks of the river. A giant hole cuts through the orthogonal, 5-story building, opening the center up with daylighting, views and natural ventilation. Designed by Paris-based Jakob + Macfarlane ^[7], Le Cube Orange is also energy efficient and relies on a water-based geothermal heat pump ^[8] and photovoltaic panels on the roof.

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The building serves as the headquarters for the Cardinal Group, a real estate development firm, as well as the Design Showroom RBC. The intention of the project was to combine a showroom dedicated to the world of design objects ^[9] inside the architecture of a fantastic building and create an experience along the banks of the river. Orange was chosen as the color for the building as a reference to the industrial color commonly used in harbors. A giant void in the building is created by subtracting three ‘conic’ volumes, which generate interesting spaces, daylighting and views of the river.

Most of the building is covered in a perforated facade ^[10] that acts as a shade screen minimizing direct sun on the interior. Energy efficiency is maximized with this screen and all of the offices enjoy natural daylighting. A geothermal heat pump with heat recovery provides energy efficient heating and cooling, making use of the relatively constant temperatures of the nearby river. Then, a photovoltaic system ^[11] on the roof provides 10% of the building’s electricity needs.

+ Jakob + Macfarlane ^[7]

Via Designboom ^[12]

Images ©Nicolas Borel/Jakob + Macfarlane

Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com

URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/this-ginormous-orange-cube-is-an-architecture-design-showroom-in-lyon/

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[3] Email: mailto:?subject=http://inhabitat.com/this-ginormous-orange-cube-is-an-architecture-design-showroom-in-lyon/

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[5]  : http://inhabitat.com/this-ginormous-orange-cube-is-an-architecture-design-showroom-in-lyon/le-cube-orange-4/?extend=1

[6] cube: http://inhabitat.com/mesmerizing-cube-pavillion-made-from-mundane-pvc-pipes/

[7] Jakob + Macfarlane: http://www.jakobmacfarlane.com/

[8] water-based geothermal heat pump: http://inhabitat.com/new-water-based-heat-pump-is-600-times-smaller/

[9] world of design objects: http://inhabitat.com/video-inhabitat-sees-green-at-bklyn-designs/

[10] perforated facade: http://inhabitat.com/700-year-old-italian-farmhouse-renovated-with-delicate-filigree-screening/

[11] photovoltaic system: http://inhabitat.com/tag/photovoltaic-system

[12] Designboom: http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/13017/jakob-macfarlane-orange-cube.html

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