The Racine Project: A Bold Architectural Renewal in Paris

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In the heart of Paris’s 12th arrondissement, the Racine project stands as a testament to the transformative power of architecture. Led by Maud Caubet Architectes, this ambitious endeavor reimagines a 1970s brutalist tower into a versatile and sustainable urban space. Delivered in November 2024, the project melds past and future, offering a functional, eco-conscious design that reflects modern urban values.

The Architect’s Vision: A Dialogue Between History and Future

Maud Caubet Architectes, renowned for their sensitivity to context and thoughtful transformations, spearheaded the Racine project with a focus on reinvigorating existing structures. The firm’s philosophy embraces the dialogue between architecture and its surroundings, striving to enhance both the environment and human experience. With a portfolio spanning urban, rural, and mixed-use programs, Maud Caubet Architectes has honed a reputation for blending innovative design with environmental stewardship. The Racine project exemplifies this approach, weaving contemporary elements into the historic fabric of Paris.

Design Concept: From Brutalism to Biophilia

Originally designed in 1970 by Deschler, Thieulin, and de Vigan, the 35-meter-high tower served as the headquarters for the Office National des Forêts (ONF). The redesign transforms the building into a multifunctional hub for the Local Business Skills Operator (OPCO EP). At the heart of the renovation is a vision of biophilic integration, as seen in the terraced gardens, a productive green roof, and the replacement of an attic with a timber-framed crown housing a bioclimatic greenhouse.

The extensions flow with naturalistic curves, rising from the base and connecting the structure to its surroundings. The contemporary additions preserve the tower’s silhouette while introducing adaptability, allowing the building to seamlessly transition between office, residential, and communal uses in the future.

The Function: A Place to Live, Work, and Grow

The reimagined Racine tower embodies a versatile urban lifestyle. Designed to be flexible, its spaces can accommodate offices, student housing, coliving areas, and even hotel services. Double-height volumes enhance spatial fluidity, while strategic vertical circulation ensures adaptability for future reconfigurations.

The bioclimatic greenhouse, located at the top of the structure, is a focal point. This luminous space doubles as an urban agriculture unit and a café, accessible to all building users. It also serves as a beacon for the community, its transparency and greenery lighting up the Parisian skyline at night. Meanwhile, a large curved patio, repurposed from an underground parking area, connects the building’s interior to the terraced garden, enhancing its connection to nature.

Sustainability as a Guiding Principle

Sustainability is woven into every aspect of the Racine project. The use of natural materials like wood and glass, coupled with the reintegration of vegetation, highlights the commitment to eco-conscious design. The project meets rigorous environmental standards, earning HQE Excellent certification and BiodiverCity labels. By incorporating agricultural spaces and reclaiming fertile soil, the Racine tower demonstrates how urban architecture can harmonize with ecological priorities.

The result is a vibrant, flexible space that supports a diverse range of activities while fostering community connections. The Racine project by Maud Caubet Architectes is more than a renovation—it is a reimagination of how architecture can shape the future of urban living.

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