Cristal office complex

The brief calls for some 87.500 sq m of new build office space on a site within the Carré 92 business park, in the Parisian suburb of Gennevilliers. The planning constraints imposed by the surrounding floodplain are cleverly interpreted, keeping parking naturally ventilated and below grade, and generating a vast aquatic park which links the buildings together to form a 'floating' campus.
Some nine buildings will house dedicated client reception areas, conferences facilities and showrooms, social premises and a staff canteen, and several office buildings. A purpose built structure will meet client requirements for sheltered parking spaces.
The project is designed to maximize access to the disabled, includingpathways to the garden ad internal lifts which are clearly signaled for the visually impaired. Parking capacity is estimated at 2,240 spaces for cars, of which around 45 spaces are for the disabled. Some 200 spaces are allocated for two wheeled vehicules. Loading bays, storage facilities and a waste handling centre complete the facilities. Planning permission was obtained in December 2010 and work is currently under way. Handover is expected in August 2012.