In order to carry out this purpose Paris City Council has chosen Architectures Anne Démians to develop the project, after having been named winner against several international architectural firms.
The project addresses the current situation on one hand providing a number of square meters for new constructions with programs as teaching rooms or laboratories, and on the other hand with works of different kind for recovery and restructuration.
Description of the project by Architectures Anne Démians
Paris City Council has validated the transformation of this urban site on the Montagne Sainte Genevieve, which will seek to create a world research centre at the heart of the Latin Quarter.The ESPCI renaissance is part of the major university works and projects currently under way in the Ile de France region, to raise the capital to the rank of metropolis of the Greater Paris area.
The ESCPI is an integral part of a scientific campus which groups major Parisian research centres. The density and variety of scholarly disciplines, within a radius of 500 metres, is unique: physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, computer science, humanities and social sciences.
This illustrious university was established in Paris 120 years ago and has been rewarded with its Nobel prizes (Pierre Curie, Marie Curie, Frederic Joliot-Curie, Irene Joliot-Curie, Pierre Gilles de Gennes, George Charpak) and is recognised for its dynamism and the excellence of its work. It houses 560 researchers in 17 scientific laboratories. Nine Mixed Research Units (UMR / CNRS) work daily with their counterparts in the École Normale Supérieure, the Curie Institute, the College de France, the Paris School of Chemistry, the School of Mines and the Paris Observatory. Unfortunately the establishment is old and suffers from security and safety problems and its premises - some of which are over 80 years old - are not suitable for research purposes. In keeping with the ambition of a university city, Anne Démians' project will transform this essential link between the capital and knowledge.
The outline of the overall project thus defined will enable this 1.5 hectare plot to be reconfigured: First, the restructuring-extension of the school will involve 38,000 m2 of new construction. This will provide 25,000m2 of efficient laboratories for flexible use, 13,000m2 of suitable teaching premises and common areas that will benefit the management of such an establishment and provide forums for contact and communication. Secondly, the work being done to optimize the real estate will involve the release of 12, 000m2 on the plot to be used for a separate recovery operation to take place later, to reinforce this scientific and industrial cluster. Additionally, the existing 39,00m2 of protected green area, listed in the Local Development Plan, will be restored and developed as part of this programme. Cost: 176 million €
