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CLMBBDO Publicity Agency - Paris
Allée des Moulineaux 2, Paris
1994
This building was constructed on the Ile Saint-Germain as a new head office for a big advertising agency.
The construction site is located in a short distance to a colony of bargees, where people live on their moored boats.
The design by Jean Nouvel is related to these moored boats and resembles an anchored boat on firm ground.
It is considered as an ageless industrial building which merges with its surroundigs by the architect.
The exterior of the building appears as a brown hull, which looks as if it had rusted. Another metaphoric comparison
by the architect relates the building with an oister The oister hides a pearl within a shabby shell, while the rough and dark
exterior of the building contains a smooth, clear and sparkling interior.
The building, located between conventional constructions has four stories and is quite long. On the exterior
balconies run all around the building. In the interior, two empty spaces are overhung by the wide galleries
of the three upper stories. The large central space is used as a working area and an exhibition area.
As a special feature, a large part of the roof can be opened to the sky.
This roof opening with its wing like panels, is a legacy of the butterly-wing doors of the Mercedes 300 SL
according to the architect Jean Nouvel.