Paris-based Hamonic+Masson & Associates has completed "Urban Quartz," an urban development of three office buildings designed to establish a more prominent office sector in Rennes, France. Each structure is uniquely shaped to create the impression of a canyon-like experience through jagged folds and cornering.
The 14,000 square meters of office space is divided into two main clusters with one cluster containing two of the three buildings, connected by three bridges to allow occupants to travel between each structure; and the other cluster consisting of a single building to add an anchoring point to the lot.
Building tenants will enjoy a series of framed urban viewpoints spread throughout each massing. These take the form of large geometries of glazing that outline distinct views in the surrounding landscape and smaller apertures spread more evenly along each facade.
Triangular perforated screens provide an added layer of detail and porosity to the facade system while giving the rectangular windows beyond a sharper appeal. Morever, each perforation is paired with a natural aluminum frame with an aluminum filling to give the multiple faces of the structure a dynamic metallic character.
Within the development, pockets of landscape create a subtle microclimate for tenants and pedestrians, capitalizing on the architecture's intentional response to the local sun paths and climate.
5 Comments
something about this is incredibly inelegant
The tessellation is a bit crude
what a culture that values design looks like. America used to be like this, up until the 70s
I had to put these two images together just to make sure they're different projects. I see obvious differences, but something about the colors, heights, and viewpoints seemed pretty similar.
Also, Sean: thank you for the site plan, elevations and sections. Very helpful and necessary to understanding the project.
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