Client
Canal +

Facility
Corporate campus; offices, studios, and a large amenities program

Size 
1,300,000 ft² / 120,774m²

Status
Competition Entry

The key element in the KPF design of the Louveciennes Canal + Village is a three story elliptical building which contains the dining and community functions. Although a relatively small component of the overall program area, it is the heart of the campus, where the majority of the Canal + population will come together and cross paths on a daily basis. The building sits in full view of the entry to the site, as well as from its major internal program spaces. It serves as the hub and the bridge between the surrounding campus elements of hotel, incubator units and office wings.

The form of this hub is conceived as an ellipse whose walls flare out towards the top and whose roof is tilted to create multiple dynamic perspective views. Its exterior walls are envisioned as a combination of translucent and transparent glass layers with portions sheathed in woven metal mesh screen. During the day the façade will have the appearance of delicate gauze, complimenting the vibrant colors of the terraced herb garden at its face. At night it will glow like a magic lantern. From within its users will have panoramic views into the campus landscape.

Across the entry plaza to the southeast, the arc-shaped wing of incubator offices will sponsor a large scale set of video screens which can be viewed
from the dining and meeting spaces. Thus, the building is expressive of a community that exists in a balance between the natural landscape and technological innovation. Through transparency of surface and structure, the cinematic sequence of activity within the ellipse will be revealed to generate an active cultural expression.