The design responds sensitively to the surrounding urban context while providing the maximum possible commercial space. The building is comprised of two building wings connected by an atrium and the massing of both wings is articulated by setbacks. The lower setback provides a generous arcade to welcome the public into the complex.
The orientation of the two buildings was dictated by their relationship to the Place des Droits des l’Homme, a prominent public plaza that connects the city’s railway station with its main avenue. As viewed from the plaza, each building maintains its own identity while sharing a common architectural language. The larger of the two wings contains its own interior courtyard maximizing exposure to daylight and air for the office spaces. Together, the two buildings rise seven stories above grade and comprise a wide range of commercial programs, including workshops, restaurants, and retail spaces.
A grand six-story atrium joins the two building wings and provides an elegant, covered entrance facing the plaza. The occupants can traverse from one building wing to the other using a series of bridges that span the atrium.
