#cloud.paris brings to life the SFL’s studies on value creation in commercial real estate and PCA-STREAM’s research on the evolution of workspaces. Conceived shortly after the publication of the journal Stream 02, After Office, it responds to new ways of working where productivity and innovation are rooted in creativity and collective experience. It offers an innovative space in the heart of Rue Réaumur, a street marked by the architecture of the First Industrial Revolution. Inspired by minimalist artists such as Sol LeWitt, the contemporary facades reinterpret the geometric grid of the 1950s. Their strong identity harmonizes the entire block and takes on a symbolic dimension, a sign of the integration of spaces at the cutting edge of innovation within the historic city.
Complex Restructuring
#cloud.paris presented an architectural challenge due to its size, its heterogeneity, and its context within the historic city center. Over the course of the 20th century, Crédit Lyonnais had acquired four buildings from different eras, with a total floor area of over 38,000 m². As the complex was functionally and technically obsolete, major renovation was essential to modernize and clarify this labyrinth of large blind surfaces. The building was reconfigured to bring maximum light to all workstations. The white, glass-clad facades act as optical devices that reflect light into the interior, complementing the spacious courtyards. The standardization of floor levels and the streamlining of circulation between building sections allow for vast open floor plans.
Responsible Renovation
The renovation project was driven by a commitment to environmental excellence. #cloud.paris has achieved triple certification at exceptional levels for a renovation project. The selection of materials and efficient building systems reduces the building’s energy footprint, and its performance is continuously monitored. Sustainable modes of transportation are prioritized, with few parking spaces for cars but a large bicycle parking area. The green roof, developed in collaboration with a landscape architect and an ecologist, promotes urban biodiversity.
New Uses
The emergence of organizational models focused on relationship quality and collaborative experiences requires a rethinking of workplace architecture. With #cloud.paris, the office building becomes a community space and a management tool. It attracts talent and fosters serendipity through its emphasis on shared spaces and exceptional services, reminiscent of the hospitality industry. Surrounding the inner courtyards are three restaurants offering a varied culinary selection, tailored to the different times and rhythms of the day, as well as a fitness center, a concierge service, and a business center. The e-lounge, with its wooden shells creating welcoming spaces, transforms into a village square. The terraces are freed from their technical role, and users can work or relax there while enjoying the panoramic views. At the heart of urban life, with its services, restaurants, and leisure venues, #cloud.paris represents a return to city centers, in contrast to single-purpose business centers and suburban campuses.
Co-design and creative collaborations
#cloud.paris was developed using an advanced co-design methodology. An intensive planning process was carried out between PCA-STREAM and the SFL, with the City closely involved, alongside architects from Bâtiments de France and the Historic Monuments Department. Designers Matthieu Paillard, Philippe Foulfouin, and Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance were invited to enhance the common areas through their creative interventions. Pierre-Antoine Gatier, chief architect of the Directorate of Historic Monuments, was commissioned to restore the Narjoux façade.
