Arte Charpentier Architectes

Silex² Tower

Silex² Tower 

Arte Charpentier + Mà Architectes

Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers

LANDSCAPER
Paso Doble

PHOTOGRAPHS
boegly + Grazia Photographers

AREA
32000 M²

YEAR
2021

LOCATION
Lyon, France

CATEGORY
Office Buildings

Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers

Text description provided by architect.

Located in Lyon, in the heart of the Part-Dieu district, the city’s business centre, Silex² is a real estate complex consisting of an existing, renovated tower.

Its extension adjacent to the north façade, and a 9-storey building that connects with its neighbour Silex I. This new tower will be 130m high, to shine in the heart of Lyon’s most connected district.

Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers
Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers
Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers

It is the result of an urban, architectural, and technical reflection on how to restore a new life cycle to the old EDF tower from the 70s.

Designed by Jean Zumbrunnen, Charles Delfante, and René Provost, this tower is one of the remarkable objects in the architectural heritage of the Part-Dieu district.

This imposing concrete building is balanced on a narrower base that is preserved to evoke the history of this emblematic building in the city of Lyon.

Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers
Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers

The choice of an architectural extension entirely made of steel modernizes the whole and gives this new tower a strong identity thanks to the slender shape of the steel structure.

It rests on the existing tower at the 20th level to withstand earthquakes and wind forces, while preserving the structural independence of the two towers.

The 9-storey building adjoining the tower has a mixed concrete and steel structure and is connected to the city by its slender door on the forecourt of rue des Cuirassiers.

Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers
Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers
Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers

“Preserving the strength of the existing building, whilst offering it a new skin and new uses for a real regeneration of the site.” Raquel Milagres, architect, associate / Arte Charpentier

The two buildings of Silex² mainly house offices, spread over a surface area of approximately 32,000 m² that can accommodate up to 2,500 people.

Multiple services are offered to its occupants: company restaurant, cafeteria, local shops, a brasserie with table service on the 21st floor, concierge service, 140-seat auditorium, wellness area, and, on the ground floor, an active base of 300 m² accessible from the street that will make the connection with the city.

Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers
Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers

The Silex² tower contributes to the evolution of workspaces by offering light units with more than 90% of offices lit by natural light, and shared meeting and reception spaces.

Its link with the city and nature is ensured by means of the 1,700 m² of accessible planted terraces and the vast hall that makes the bridge between the central patio and the restaurant.

Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers
Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers

The noble and refined treatment and the visible lines give character to this hall, which includes several waiting areas that can be converted into workspaces.

Designed according to a rational and legible organization of spaces that integrate all the services required for a premium office building, Silex² responds to an ambitious environmental approach with innovative solutions and recreates the links with the city through the active base that is largely open onto a generous square.

Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers
Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers

Through a resolutely contemporary architectural writing, characterized by the use of regular rhythms and contrasts of materials and textures, Silex² is a strong signal on the Lyon skyline.


Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers
Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers
Silex² Tower
© Boegly + Grazia photographers


Silex² Tower
Section - Auditorium
Silex² Tower
East Elevation
Silex² Tower
Section


Silex² Tower
Plan - 21st floor
Silex² Tower
Plan - 2nd floor
Silex² Tower
Plan - 5th floor


Silex² Tower
Diagram

Arte Charpentier Architectes
T + 33 1 55041300
Arte Charpentier Architectes
Maison Mozart, 8 Rue du Sentier, 75002 Paris, France