Google's AI Hub is the result of a complex and extensive renovation of three historic Parisian buildings to create a new, fluid site totalling 6 700 m².

Four key objectives served to create a building that could adapt to the future of cities :

• Make the site accessible to everyone by reconnecting the different levels
• Reintegrate the urban fabric harmoniously by erasing the dated office building identity towards a more residential feel
• Exceed the highest objectives in terms of energy performance
• Reintroduce plants and extensive biodiversity

In order to reconnect the three buildings into a homogeneous whole accessible to all, it was necessary to level the floors and rethink the vertical connection to offer a smooth journey.

To minimize deconstructions on the project, only the structure of the Milan building was completely rebuilt in wood in order to align it with the structure of 50 rue d’Amsterdam.

For the reconstruction the choice of durable, locally sourced materials, both biosourced and geosourced, was imposed in order to minimize the carbon footprint of the project, reduce the impacts of the construction site through prefabrication, and to facilitate future reversibility.

The structure of the Milan building was made in French CLT with a wood fiber insulation. The new street facade is composed of large loadbearing limestone blocks while in the courtyard facades are made of interlocking stones.

LOW-CARBON OBJECTIVE

To minimize the project's carbon footprint and set new standards in sustainable real estate, every aspect of the project was examined and targeted actions were taken:

• The choice of sustainable materials for all reconstructions,
• Reuse and recycling of existing materials, with 93% of construction site waste revalorized
• Planting more than 770 m2 of the previously mineral surfaces, with 360 m² of accessible terraces
• Optimum energy performance that exceeds the objectives of the Paris Climate Plan 2050, through a bioclimatic approach and the use of renewable energies, with new connections to local heating and cooling urban networks and the installation of 95m² of panels photovoltaic systems on roof
• The transformation of 4 levels of parking into spaces dedicated to well-being and soft mobility, with 135 bicycle spaces.

The project's sustainable approach was supported by BIM (Building Information Modeling), a powerful tool for architectural eco-design that enables all parameters to be optimized at every stage of the project, to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

CREATIVITY AND BIOPHILIA

CREATIVITY AND BIOPHILIA

Having previously designed the headquarters of the rue de Londres, STUDIOS today brings its holistic vision of architecture acting as architects and interior designer. This global approach places the human experience at center of the project to create an experience that supports creativity and innovation as well as the well-being of engineering teams.

Biophilic design strengthens the connection to nature through the views, the natural light, the presence of plants but also the choice of materials and the common thread developed by STUDIOS: a journey both physical and spiritual through different territories.

Throughout the levels, the fluid route is an invitation to discover different landscapes: from the canyon  through to the ocean, the forest or the mountains. Each level thus has its own identity, which is expressed in the materials, colors, patterns or even the naming of the rooms. A multisensory experience that creates a feeling physical and mental well-being while inviting discovery.

At the heart of the site, the light-filled duplex atrium brings employees together and invites them to explore the variety of spaces adapted to their various needs : to concentrate (office floors, video rooms, kitchen on each floor), to meet (meeting rooms, restaurant, terraces and outdoor bar), to relax (music studio), to exercise (fitness and dance room) or to recharge (library, rest and nursing room).

The building set new standards for the office of tomorrow, by placing the well-being of the Google community as priority number one. The multiplication of landscaped outdoor spaces contributes to creating this exceptional environment : from the small courtyard terrace with his large green wall to the new accessible terrace on Level 6th or the rooftop with its outdoor bar, vegetable garden and beehives, offering breathtaking views over Paris.

Google AI Hub
A n exemplary low-carbon restructuring in Paris

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