Client : CARLE Promotion
The project consists of the construction of one office building on parcel 1.3 of the newly developed “La Cartoucherie” eco-district in Toulouse, France.
This four-story office building marks the entrance of the parcel with its strong materiality, straightforward geometry, and careful alignment of its street façade with that of its neighbour on the adjacent parcel. The ground floor is designed with permeability in mind, both physical and visual – a theme that is common to, and helps unite, the three buildings on the parcel. A network of halls and footpaths provide both views and easy movement between the streets, the central courtyard, and the pedestrian alley to the north. On the rooftop, the office tenants enjoy a large terrace, shaded by a pergola and looking out onto the adjacent park, Les jardins du Barry.
The exterior walls consist of structural concrete panels, with the carefully finished concrete left exposed on the inside and with integrated insulation and white polished concrete cladding on the outside. The concrete panels were prefabricated in order to achieve a high-quality and uniform finish. The façade is marked by a regular pattern of punched windows and smooth indents, creating a rhythm that reflects the regular layout of the interior office spaces. The smooth white concrete of the indents contrasts with the lightly patterned finish of the polished concrete panels. The regular rhythm of the façade and its subtle differences in surface quality create a significant effect that changes with the lighting conditions.
About “La Cartoucherie” :
“La Cartoucherie”, as a flagship urban development project for the city of Toulouse, aspires to reconcile urban density with sustainable development, enabling its inhabitants to enjoy an innovative, collaborative and environmentally responsible way of life. Spread over 33 hectares (81 acres), the development zone is located at the threshold between the city centre and the outer suburbs of Toulouse. Parcel 1.3 is well-situated to take advantage of the urban links that connect this new eco-neighbourhood with the surrounding city.
Covering 2 949 m² (31,700 ft²), the parcel 1.3 also provides 96 parking spaces.
By TAILLANDIER ARCHITECTES ASSOCIES
