Parisian Lantern
La Défense is Europe’s largest purpose-built business district with 560 hectares area, 72 glass and steel buildings and skyscrapers, and 3.5 million square metres of office space. Around its Grande Arche and esplanade (“le Parvis”), La Défense contains many of the Paris urban area’s tallest high-rises, and is home to no fewer than 1,500 corporate head offices, including those of 15 of the top 50 companies in the world.
In December 2005 was announced an ambitious 9-year development plan called “La Defense 2006–2015”. This important modernisation plan has to give a new dimension to the district and amongst other goals also focuses on regeneration of outdated skyscrapers and erection of new buildings, improving the balance between offices and residential housing.
Rightful place among the new skyscrapers in La Defense takes D2 Tower. With 37 floors and a height of 170 metres, D2 won’t be the tallest building in the district but it will be one of the most distinct thanks to the structural diagrid on the exterior that looks more like a famous design from Foster and Partners than Architectes Anthony Bechu et Tom Sheehan. As a part of the urban renewal project of La Defense the D2 Tower is planned to become the district’s most emblematic building. Its glazed façade with the characteristic external diagrid structure makes it sparkle in the daylight like a diamond.
Positioned on a gently sloping pedestrian area, the tower will have direct access from the new urban boulevard fitted out by the EPADESA that will replace the current circular boulevard. The site is currently occupied by the VERITAS Building, one of the shortest blocks and it is this which is going to be imminently demolished to allow the construction of the D2 tower. This clever urban conception renders D2 as a natural link between Courbevoie and La Défense.
The D2 Tower enjoys a contemporary and innovative identity. One of the objectives pursued is its harmonious integration into the urban landscape, testifying to the district’s capacity for revitalization to meet the changing needs of business demand. Sogeprom and Bouygues Immobilier have been signed as co-developers for the D2 Tower. With a net floor area of 54,547 m² divided into a concourse plus 36 storeys with three basement levels, D2 will be built along the ring road, enjoying very high visibility that will contribute to the brand image of its future occupants. D2 is the first tower in La Défense with a metallic “exo structure”, D2 will naturally take its place in the first European Business District’s skyline, but will also keep its exceptional character, with its rounded form and its external steel lattice, covered in lacquered aluminum, that will give D2 its strong identity and unique visibility.
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Materials provided by Sogeprom, EPADESA
Photos by Zoko Productions-Pierre Perrin