BAUKUNST: Winner La Defense - Paris

Following a competitive dialogue procedure involving five groups of international architects, Paris La Défense awarded the project to BAUKUNST. The project is to develop the residual central volumes, a 20,000 m² concrete cathedral beneath La Défense Esplanade, among the current utility and mobility networks. Like a modern archaeological site, the project is characterised by a renovation of existing spaces while preserving its infrastructure-type character. Several openings, located at the interface between “above” and “below”, enhance the public space of the esplanade while offering access to the new subterranean landscape. The delivery date for the initial pilot project has been set for the start of 2022.