Projects

The Double Rotunda

Residential Tower Issy-les-Moulineaux, France

Residential Tower

Issy-les-Moulineaux, France

The Double Rotunda

Residential
2020
Find out more

The design of the Rotunda Tower is inspired by the Parisian rotundas, emblematic architectural structures of the 19th century that once punctuated the city’s grand boulevards and public squares. As symbols of both harmony and innovation, these circular forms establish a fluid dialogue between interior and exterior, fostering open, light-filled spaces that enhance spatial continuity and openness.

A Tower of Dual Rotundas

The Issy Tower’s dual-rotunda design offers a refined reinterpretation of this Parisian architectural tradition. By juxtaposing two circular volumes of differing diameters, the composition establishes a nuanced dialogue between classicism, baroque, and Art Deco, leveraging light and perspective to enrich its visual depth. This architectural arrangement heightens the tower’s symbolic significance—an open and inviting space that fosters a dynamic interaction with Place Léon Blum.

Tinted Glass: An Interplay of Transparency and Reflections

Anchored atop the Issy RER station at Place Léon Blum, the Rotunda Tower is an integral component of a significant urban redevelopment initiative aimed at enhancing both the district’s appeal and its connectivity. Strategically positioned at the junction of Avenue de Verdun and Rue Aristide Briand, it contributes to the transformation of this key urban node into a fluid and dynamic multimodal hub. Through its height and fluid silhouette, the Rotunda Tower assumes a dual urban function: A visual landmark, asserting the presence of the station while structuring the spatial organization of Place Léon Blum. A unifying architectural element, whose vertical refinement establishes a harmonious dialogue with the surrounding built environment.

The architectural identity of the tower is defined by the interplay of its dual curves. Toward Avenue de Verdun, a broad and stately rotunda asserts its presence, while along Rue Aristide Briand, a slenderer and more intimate counterpart introduces a refined contrast. This subtle duality imparts a singular elegance to the structure, further accentuated by a series of recesses that mitigate its volumetric impact and instil a sense of aerial lightness and dynamism. Fully glazed onto Place Léon Blum, the twin rotundas accommodate expansive residences, each offering sweeping panoramic views and elongated terraces. The façade is composed of fixed curved glass spandrels, surmounted by faceted French-style windows, achieving a delicate balance between transparency and structural refinement.

Panoramic Views and Flowing Terraces

The project explores the full expressive potential of glass, playing with transparency and reflection to create a constantly evolving façade. As the singular material defining the building’s envelope, glass is used in varied forms: Transparent for the windows, capturing natural light and framing sweeping views. Enamelled and subtly tinted in bluish grey, wrapping the tower in a luminous, ever-shifting aura that responds to the changing sky. Both monumental and weightless, the Rotunda Tower stands as a symbol of the Léon Blum district’s transformation, shaping its urban landscape with a refined and contemporary presence.

See also

Mixed-Use Building, Îlot Belcier, Residences and Sports Facilities

Bordeaux, France

Living on the River and Swimming in the Sky

Residential Tower

Nanterre, France

The Cube, Rhythm and Measure

Renovation of the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé Atelier

Paris, France

Open plan and Void

A Parisian Hotel

Paris 13, France

Embracing the essence of matter

Swimming Pool and Wellness Center, Grand Paris

Issy-les-Moulineaux, France

The Monochrome Adventure in Cobalt Blue

Simone Veil Experimental Campus

Boulogne-Billancourt, France

The Triangle as a Figure