Les Dunes

Anne Démian designed an office complex in Paris, featuring an organic wood envelope that covers the buildings with a single curved gesture to soften the angles.

The new division of Société Générale in Val de Fontenay, in eastern Paris, responds to a strategic challenge common to many large corporations. It is emblematic of the digital transformation of the banking sector as a whole. The project is called Les Dunes, listed as a reference point in the commercial real estate sector. Winner of the international competition launched in 2011 by the banking group, architect Anne Démians designed these 90,000 square meters of office space that is shortly due to welcome 5,000 employees.

The arrangement of the three buildings is preponderant. As the perfect synthesis to draw the site’s character together, this articulation of the buildings’ volumes provides an identical sun protection, quality of light and views to all offices by its East-West orientation and naturally illuminates the gardens by its North-South orientation for enjoyment of the outdoor spaces.

An organic wood envelope covers the buildings with a single curved gesture to soften the angles, also serving as sun protection giving the whole and a natural, rustic tone. Between buildings a herbarium, gardens and wood on the ground give the feeling of continuing the same universe.

With no fewer than 5,500 people expected in this location, the goal was to create constantly evolving work and meeting spaces. A central pavilion and an indoor street contain a Business Center and cafés. Almost 13 000 smq of space is available to the company.