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

This fantastically bright orange <a href="http://inhabitat.com/mesmerizing-cube-pavillion-made-from-mundane-pvc-pipes/" target="_blank">cube</a> 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 <a href="http://www.jakobmacfarlane.com/" target="_blank">Jakob + Macfarlane</a>, Le Cube Orange is also energy efficient and relies on a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/new-water-based-heat-pump-is-600-times-smaller/" target="_blank">water-based geothermal heat pump</a> and photovoltaic panels on the roof.

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 inside the architecture of a fantastic building and create an experience along the banks of the river.

Rooftop decks offer scenic views of the river and a quiet place to relax.

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.

The void encourages breezes from the river into the building to facilitate natural ventilation.

Most of the building is covered in a perforated facade 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.

Inside the showroom, furniture and other design objects are displayed in a perforated wall.

The interior display area reflects the exterior facade.

A photovoltaic system on the roof provides 10% of the building's electricity needs.

A model of the interior display area.