Reviving an architectural “gem”

Originally built in the early 1930s to house a postal and telecommunications exchange, the building had been altered by successive interventions over time. Drawing on in-depth historical research and close collaboration with heritage authorities (Architectes des Bâtiments de France et la Commission du Vieux Paris), STUDIOS undertook a meticulous, couture-like approach to restore the building’s original splendor, leveraging its intrinsic qualities.

The project highlights the elements that have endured while redefining those whose clarity had been diminished. Particular care was given to restoring the brick façades, while all joinery was refined with great precision.

The building’s base, previously fragmented, became the starting point for a major spatial reconfiguration. The transformation maximizes the potential of the ground floor and basement by recomposing a cohesive base at the scale of the building, reorganizing both horizontal and vertical circulation, and bringing natural light into spaces that were once very dark.

The concrete structure is revealed, showcasing the volume of the former telephone exchange and its impressive floor-to-ceiling heights.

On the upper floors, the original open-plan layouts—initially designed to house machinery—have enabled the creation of a wide range of fully flexible workspaces that meet both current and future needs.

Previously neglected, the courtyards and terraces had been cluttered with technical equipment. Window parapets were removed to create direct access to enhanced and landscaped outdoor spaces, contributing to the well-being of the building’s users.

Balancing heritage preservation with environmental performance

Adapting the building to meet this dual challenge required a complex and highly precise rehabilitation. Several strategies were implemented to ensure exemplary environmental performance:

• Minimal demolition, preservation of many existing elements, and careful construction waste management to reduce carbon emissions.
• Improvements to the building envelope and the implementation of an intelligent building management system to optimize energy consumption.
• Connection to urban heating and cooling networks.
• Creation of numerous accessible landscaped areas, forming an urban cooling island. The planting strategy, developed with an ecologist, incorporates local species and promotes urban biodiversity through a mosaic of habitats suited to wildlife.
• Early integration of the future tenant’s needs in terms of services, uses, and interior design, avoiding significant post-completion works.

Thanks to these commitments, the building has achieved ambitious certifications, including HQE Bâtiment Durable (Excellent), BREEAM (Excellent), OSMOZ, BBC Effinergie Rénovation 2021, and BBCA Rénovation.