“Architecture is a decisive therapeutic tool.”
Paul Sivadon, psychiatrist, founder and first director of the Institut Marcel Rivière in 1959.
Designed in the 1960s, the La Verrière site not only marked a milestone in MGEN’s real estate history, but also revolutionized mental health care approaches. In this therapeutic “village,” connection—with others, with culture, and with nature—has always been fundamental. From the very beginning, the program was set within a natural environment and included a care center, a theater, music rooms, and a shared restaurant for both staff and residents.
More than a matter of architecture, the reconstruction of the MGEN property provided an opportunity to apply AIA Life Designers’ thinking on resilience: creating spaces that promote well-being for vulnerable individuals, their caregivers, and their families—spaces that foster a sense of belonging and connection. The project seeks balance through an architectural journey that blends urban amenities with restorative walking paths.
Today, the original ambition is renewed, grounded in the founding values and the unification of three healthcare services, sharing both therapeutic and logistical resources. The EHPAD (nursing home) and SSR (follow-up and rehabilitation care center) complement the site’s core Mental Health services. The multidisciplinary therapeutic facility offers strong medical capabilities, ensuring the long-term viability of patient care.
Client
MGEN (Mutuelle Générale de l’Éducation Nationale)
Project Team
General contractor (lead) : Spie SCGPM
Architect : AIA Architectes
Engineering : AIA Ingénierie + BERIM
Environmental expertise : AIA Environnement
Landscape and infrastructure : AIA Territoires
Kitchen design + fire safety coordination : BERIM
Acoustics : Orféa Acoustique
Deconstruction & asbestos removal : Samoé
Area
36,326 m²
Cost
€70 million excl. VAT
Timeline
Mental Health Unit (SME) : 2019
EHPAD, SSR, and Restaurant : 2020