Strategically located at the intersection of several major routes, Block 1.4 marks the final phase in the redevelopment of the mixed-use neighborhood launched in 2006. Bordered by the ring road, connected to the A1 motorway, close to the Porte de Valenciennes metro station, and running alongside Avenue Cordonnier, the site acts as a threshold. It blends urban fabric with greenery, creating a dialogue between an office building and a forest inspired by Miyawaki principles, adapted to the local context.
While aligning with the architectural codes of the district, the project establishes its own identity through a contrasting design that interweaves mineral and vegetal elements. Flanked by a linear forest and a railway cutting, the N7-shaped building is crowned by a rooftop terrace designed as an elevated forest. The façades feature a regular grid reminiscent of local architectural rhythms, yet variations in window proportions and a ribbon-like composition introduce a unique character. Vertically articulated by a spiral of planted terraces linking the linear forest to the rooftop greenery, and horizontally animated with planters, the building appears to counterbalance the surrounding road noise with the calm of green spaces.
Materials are carefully combined in a palette of textures and tones: raw or terracotta-clad concrete, varnished wood, and glass surfaces contribute to the sense of a serene, dignified structure amid the city’s dynamic flow.
Just like the outdoor spaces, the offices are designed to offer a warm environment for users and encourage interaction. The functional mix is reflected in the architectural expression, embodying the dynamic nature of a building conceived with sustainable construction in mind. Adaptable and reversible, the project follows a low-carbon strategy through the use of local materials and energy-efficient systems.
Client
Groupe Duval and Aire Nouvelle
Project Team
Architects : AIA Architectes
All-Trades and Environmental Engineering : AIA Ingénierie
Timber Structure Engineering : Ingébois
Environmental, Energy, and Acoustic Studies : Polyexpert Environnement
Landscape Design : AIA Territoires
Cost Consultant : Ghesquiere Dierickx
Program
Development of Block 1.4, Porte de Valenciennes ZAC, Lille
Environmental target : E+C- Label – Level E2C2 (RE2020)
Area
8,000 m² GFA – 7,800 m² usable floor area
Cost
€14.8 million (excl. VAT)
Timeline
Competition Winner : November 2022
Completion : 2026