Lightwell
In the centre of La Défense, Lightwell enjoys an exceptional location, with direct visibility on the Arche. Constructed in 1986, the office building was renovated and extended by Barthélémy Griño. Owned by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Lightwell is the embodiment of an ambitious project in terms of both architectural style and environmental ethics. Lightwell is designed to be a warm and inspiring place to work, with an abundance of natural light and vegetation.
The transformation of Galilée into Lightwell was achieved thanks to major architectural work, aiming to:
_Modernise the architectural image of the building while caring its integration into the immediate environment. A new lacquered aluminium cladding covers the façades. The language of the pierced veil and the rhythm of the existing openings are preserved.
_Redesign the access from public space (Esplanade, Cours Michelet), the heart of the block, and upgrade the arcaded passageways.
_Create an internal street and a monumental atrium that irrigates the entire building. These open, continuous spaces, from the Esplanade to the roof, allow natural light to penetrate to the building.
_Expand the office space. On the North-West façade, moving the new façade forward by around 2.5 m in relation to its current level, recreating a homogeneous building frontage that is largely open and glazed onto the Esplanade. On the top floor, by creating an additional mezzanine level.
_Provide accessible green terraces and high-quality roofing.
_Enhance the use of infrastructure premises by providing a full range of services.
Lightwell is a project emblematic of contemporary architectural issues in the office sector. It involves a major refurbishment that transforms the existing building to create a ground-breaking facility offering a new working experience centred on flexibility, comfort and social interaction. Its architecture encourages interaction, with a monumental atrium, green terraces and a lively interior street. The building’s ten floors of workspace combine a large number of services: a business centre with a modular auditorium, a centre dedicated to sport and well-being, a company restaurant, and a green rooftop. The restoration of its original arcades, an urban promenade dotted with shops, establishes a direct link with the historic Esplanade. Numerous planted terraces embellish the spaces, create peaceful views and generate a local ecosystem. In the medium term, they will form islands of coolness, like the green rooftop. From an aerial perspective, they symbolically form the fifth façade of the transformed building.
Lightwell was built as part of an ambitious circular economy scheme. Over 85% of the waste from the site was reused or transformed, and 100% of the demolished concrete was recycled as aggregate, in particular for the project’s new concrete. The old stone cladding was used to make the terrazzo covering the hall. Two-thirds of the existing structure was retained. Lavoisier’s maxim perfectly characterises Lightwell: ‘Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed’.
CREDITS
BARTHÉLÉMY GRIÑO : Architect
INEX : Technical consultant
SETEC TPI : Structural consultant
T/E/S/S ATELIER D’INGENIERIE: Facade consultant D’ICI LA : Landscape Architect
CAP HORN SOLUTIONS: Acoustics consultant OASIIS : Environmental consultant
BMF : Quantity surveyor
SCO : Construction director
GEMO: SPC coordinator
