OFFICE 286

Situated in the heart of Paris, this project is part of an undergoing strategy to densify and connect the specific urban fabric of the historical Marais district. The new Galeries Lafayette department store is thus envisioned as a pedestrian link between the old BHV department store and Fondation Lafayette Anticipations, through a sequence of open spaces, courtyards and passages. The project, which combines retail with housing, is inserted within a partly demolished existing urban block. The main volume of the new building has a structural grid of square pillars, and a glazed facade that opens to the side street. From the main street, this intervention remains hidden behind the existing facade, which has been fully preserved and restored. Only the ground floor reveals the porosity of the entire block, which leads to the central courtyard connected to the surrounding buildings. This courtyard contributes to the natural ventilation, and together with new green roofs reduces the effect of urban heat island. While the department store stretches across three open floors, the upper floors are reserved for housing. The apartment units occupy the existing renovated building, and make three terraced volumes above the department store base, with elevated green courtyards in between.