Three newbuilds and an additional floor for an existing building were planned for IXCAMPUS, a teaching, research and innovation park close to Paris. The project was to reflect the ambition and philosophy of the wider IXCAMPUS, meet demanding environmental and architectural standards and make significant space for nature.

The core idea, inspired by the works of Kandinsky, was to interpret the park as a collection of separate objects that derive their strength from their interaction – an effect reinforced by a landscaped tier that links the half-height levels of the existing buildings to the new constructions. The subtle harmony created between these interventions reinforces the coherence of the campus without copying existing facades; the choice of materials and specific construction framework foster both connections and distinctions.

An enhanced park landscape

Another key theme is the enhancement of the existing park landscape. The Grande Orangerie, for example, focusses on the search for transparency. The Maison des Start-Ups, though conceived as the extension of an existing building, affirms its independence through its cross-shaped form.

The site faces north and east, south and west, and enjoys intriguing distant views of the Seine valley. Particular importance is ascribed to the project’s facades, which had to be open to the outside to bring natural daylight into as many rooms as possible.

The clever configuration of the load-bearing structure results in neutral spaces that allow flexible use, in reversible buildings suitable for both offices and residential accommodation. No one space was to be prioritised over any other: every single room and place is designed to offer an attractive view and a particular atmosphere. 

An English landscape garden

The landscaping project seeks to provide coherence with the park as a whole and to reveal, enhance and diversify the existing population, which is protected by ‘listed woodland status’. The notion of the English landscape garden will be reintroduced to create atmospheres and walks intended to encourage reflection, emotion, wellbeing and creativity and to promote a greater diversity of species. The various areas of the park will be linked by a network of flexible, porous paths with a minimal environmental footprint.