The Galaxy is part of the emergence of the new Austerlitz district, within the urban development zone in Paris Rive Gauche. Signed by Christian de Portzamparc, the elegant architecture of the building combines rigorous design and execution with a choice of high quality services.
When the cover of the railways opens the field of possibilities
70% of land reserves in Paris concern land recovered from rail harnesses. The cover of the tracks of the Austerlitz station, within the urban development zone in Paris Rive Gauche, represents a case of school for what is possible when we decide to make it real neighborhoods. SEMAPA named Kaufman & Broad winner of the consultation even before the architects’ competition. The master plan of Reichen et Associés, which envisaged three volumes linked by gateways, left great freedom to design a project that was a strong architectural signature for the avenue that hosts it.
The concept of the open island of Christian de Portzamparc…
Among the four finalist projects, that of Christian de Portzamparc proposed to work on a unitary deployment in the form of ribbon or snake, keeping a link with the open island, the city entering the building by the troughs of the ribbon. This opening of the building was reflected in the game of withdrawals and advances of the facade, and in a particular way to bring the light into it. Being in the visible cone of the chapel of the Pitié- Salpêtrière inspired the architect to tilt the roof a little more, as to make a reverence to the prestigious monument.
… with the constraints of an art work
The construction techniques used are much closer to those of the art structure than those of the traditional office building. Galaxie’s metal crossings are similar to what is done in high rise buildings. In addition, the railway environment without interruption of activity involved the implementation of a strict protocol related to the protection of tracks.
Designed by a winner of the Pritzker Prise, Galaxie also meets the requirements of numerous certifications and labels. This dual quality guarantee has won CDC Habitat, which took it on a lease 5 years before its delivery.
- Developer: SEMAPA
- Investor: DTZ Investors on behalf of CNP Assurances
- User: CDC Habitat
- Architect: Christian de Portzamparc
