The atrium building on the Jussieu university campus, near the historic center of Paris, extends and completes the grid plan that architect Edouard Albert designed in the 60s to serve 45 000 students and researchers. The response formulated by Peripheriques for the extension is based on the existing system, where buildings are laid out in a crown configuration; but at the same it deforms it:: where Albert laid out a single patio, Peripheriques have planned two. One of them is covered by the bridge-buildings raised on pilotis to make short-cuts in the ring like circulation itinerary, and forms a “vertical place” that groups all the movements of the buildings, This concrete space opposes its heaviness and hardness to the light-weight metal cladding of its outer skin.
At ground floor level, the existing slab on which the university buildings are built folds up in an origami-like ramp to even up natural and built levels in a fluid movement – an echo of well-kwon Jussieu library project designed by Rem Koolhaas some years ago.
To the orthogonal grid of the existing layout, Peripheriques oppose a slightly deviant geometry that tends to make the new building look like solid unitary block in which the patio are hollowed out. The project presents itself as a form that is both independent and in continuity with pre-existing logic.
The programme also evolces: in first phase students forced out of other campus buildings by remedial asbestos-removal works will use the new building, which will ultimately be used by under-graduates alone. The plan and the nature of spaces allow for this polyvalence and maintain a neutral presence; tha facades are glazed on the same patern as that Albert’s existing building. But over the glass metal skin composed of ten types of panels perforated with circular holes of differrent sizes give the facades complex and variable depth. The holes also filter daylight and reflexions‚ over the glass surface and create shimmering effects that give the building a constantly changing, which reminds us that the original plan has “shifted”. Peripheriques
Since 10 years, PERIPHERIQUES has been a structure in constant evolution, exploring production and diffusion of architecture while proposing the negociation and sharing of ideas between several partners as a platform for creation.
Now PERIPHERIQUES is driven by two agencies: Marin+Trottin Architectes and AFJumeau/SoA Architecte.
In addition, PERIPHERIQUES for IN-EX projects create and publish books. This is how our magazine IN-EX is born. Through differents thematics, IN-EX research architectural and artistic experiences worldwide to share and communicate to others what is interesting us and what we like.
Credits:
Project: ATRIUM, Jussieu University 10, rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
Architects: Peripheriques architects : Emmanuelle Marin + Anne-Francoise Jumeau + David Trottin
Project Managers: Stephane Razafindralambo & Sebastien Truchot,
Project Team: A. Thuin, G. Mangeot, N. Spinetto, G. Le Romancer, B. Stratil, P. Pflughaupt, J. Paulre, M. Proietti Gaffi, M. Haggarde, L. Paillard, N. Stragier, M. Tuur,
A. Perroux, T. Wegener, V. Toulkeridou, P. Bialek, J. Raulet, P. Erhet,
Model makers : M. Haggarde, N. Stragier
Engineers: Structure & Economy : OTH batiments. Acoustic : Peutz&Ass.
Contracting Authority : Etablissement Public du Campus de Jussieu ( EPCJ )
Program: New building for “Pierre et Marie Curie” University in Paris:
Laboratory for scientific students and classrooms.
Floor Area: 16895 m2 SHON
Budget: 24,8 M eur non including VAT (value of 01/2004)
Schedule:
Competition: October 2002
Studies: January 2003 – January 2004
Demolitions & infrastructures: January – September 2004
Construction: september 2004 – june 2006
Contractors: DBS (demolitions), BOTTE FONDATION (infrastrucures), CBC-SICRA (principal Company), PYRRHUS Conception (furnitures)
Foto: Stefan Tuchila
