SFR Headquarters

Saint Denis, France

Photo © Eric Sempé

Alban Lécuyer Visuelles

Architects: VIGUIER architecture urbanisme paysage

Year: 2013
Client: SFR
Team: Andrès Larrain, Frédéric Morel, Sophie Poussange, William Burns, Victor Senarat, Christel Catteau, Léa Desbiens, Tupac Orellana, Thomas Ouanhnon, Charlotte Thiret Schlosser, Aline Hielscher, Julie Alazard, Benoist Quiviger, Laura Gelso, Juliette Liberman Segretain, Justine Boidin, Ivonne Amran, Benjamin Doré, Arnaud Mermet-Gerlat

Jean-Paul Viguier et Associés bring together the employees of SFR, one of the largest French telecommunication companies, in a brand new 130 000m² campus in Saint Denis. The project is based on the metaphor of the tree, creating an element that is in permanent growth and constantly adapts to its surroundings. From a large trunk grow out several branches opening on terraces and a vast garden extending to the upper levels.

Unity and union are the two main concepts that inspired the design of that building which can be seen as a whole, a reflection of the company’s philosophy. The trunk is a metaphor for the company’s historical anchoring while the branches represent its various activities. The complex is interconnected following a horizontal line, stimulations human contacts and communication. The relation with the environment has been emphasized : the relation between the employees and their direct work environment as well as the site’s relation to its industrial surroundings.

Facing south, a system of horizontal partitions protect the employee from the sun. The stairways have been placed facing the gardens so as to allow for a constat visuel contact with the redesigned landscape. Shared spaces are found on the ground floor of the building including several restaurants, a gym, and relaxtion areas.

Client: SFR
Developer: Vinci Immobilier Promotion
Engineering firm: SETEC Bâtiment
Surface area: 135,000 sq m
Budget: €300 M + Tax
Mandate: Design and delivery, interior design and landscaping
Certification : QHE construction (already obtained for the design phase), BREEAM "very good" and QHE exploitation, BBC Effinergie Label,
summer comfort level rule Th-E, RT 2012