Residential Tower

Nanterre, France

The Cube, Rhythm and Measure

Residential

2021

Find out more

Status

Completed

Client

Kaufman&Broad, Logipostel

Address

Rue Salvador Allende, Nanterre, France

Date

2021

Area

3 600 m²

Program (Details)

50 Residential Units, Retail Spaces, 3 Levels of Parking, Shared Green Roof Terrace

Credits

Photos: Takuji Shimmura

Project Team

Architect

Mikoü

Structure

Integrale4

Fluids

Bet Louis Choulet

HQE

Transfaire

Economy

Eclisse

Others

Acoustics: LASA

The Nanterre Croissant site is situated at the intersection of La Défense, Puteaux, and the Terrasses de Nanterre. A contemporary neighborhood is emerging, continuing the development of the Jardins de l’Arche and the dynamic energy generated by the Arena, creating a new urban landscape that seamlessly blends with the historic buildings from the 1930s.

Hollowed Monolith and Suspended Terraces

Situated at the heart of the ZAC Seine-Arche, this area follows the curves of the 1970s road infrastructure while being integrated into a broader urban development initiative led by Paris La Défense and the city of Nanterre. Adjacent to the Boulevard de La Défense, it engages in a dialogue with the iconic “Nuages” towers designed by Émile Aillaud in the Pablo Picasso district.
The Arche Horizon residential tower, with its ground-floor commercial spaces and public areas, redefines the gateway to the neighborhood. Coupled with the revitalization of Boulevard Pesaro, the project facilitates a seamless transition between the existing urban fabric and the emerging development.

Sleek and Rhythmic Architecture
The building’s central positioning grants it exceptional visibility, presenting its four façades prominently. With a timeless cubic form, its architecture highlights clear sightlines to the surrounding spaces, particularly through its expansive terraces. The charred wood columns, in both single and double heights, serve to structure the building and create rhythm across the façades, complemented by the guardrail patterns. Through its simple, ordered expression, the design harmonizes with the neighboring Business School, thereby defining a distinctive urban gateway visible from Boulevard Pesaro.

A Design of Black Wooden Columns

The ground floor houses retail spaces and a double-height lobby, ensuring a seamless connection with the public realm. The residential units are primarily composed of duplexes and corner apartments, all designed with dual orientations to maximize natural light. At the top, a communal landscaped terrace, accessible to all residents, provides a shared outdoor area with sweeping panoramic views of Paris, offering a space that is both intimate and expansive, open to the horizon.