640 oblong windows define anne démians’ quai ouest in nancy
image © jean-pierre porcher / AAD
located five hundred meters from nancy’s place stanislas (a UNESCO world heritage site), this mixed-use project by anne démians’ french architectural practice features a distinctive stainless steel façade with 640 oblong windows. named ‘quai quest’, the 10,000 square meter building includes numerous offices, a hotel and various retail outlets.
the stainless steel façade contains 640 oblong windows
image © jean-pierre porcher / AAD
built on the site of a former gasworks, the project seeks to align itself with the city’s historical past. an internal courtyard at ground level is directly connected to the café and dining facilities, while additional communal spaces all have access to the site’s shops and commercial outlets. in an attempt to encourage the use of public transport, there are only 88 car parking places provided.
the 10,000 square meter building includes numerous offices, a hotel and various retail outlets
image © jean-pierre porcher / AAD
‘I designed and completed a compact building that would be immediately read and understood’, explains anne démians. ‘its walls are completely covered with stainless steel, studded with oblong bays from which round windows look out like eyes. above, I placed raised eyelids, a sign of alertness. the great perceived density is softened by the lightness of the stainless steel surface, bringing reflections of the changing sky onto the exposed surfaces and to the windows’.
built on the site of a former gasworks, the project seeks to align itself with the city’s past
image © jean-pierre porcher / AAD
image © jean-pierre porcher / AAD
image © jean-pierre porcher / AAD
offices at the building’s upper levels
image © jean-pierre porcher / AAD
the placement of windows allows light to penetrate deep into the floor plate
image © jean-pierre porcher / AAD
the distinctive façade illuminated at night
image © jean-pierre porcher / AAD
the project is located only 500 meters away from the city’s place stanislas
image © jean-pierre porcher / AAD
project info:
contractor / contracting authority: CIRMAD
place: avenue du XXème corps, quai sainte catherine, nancy
architect: anne demians
team: architectures anne demians; philippe monjaret, project director, typhaine blanchet, project manager
project type: mixed construction; offices, shops and hotel
BET TCE: pertuy construction
BET façade: VP green
perspective: typhaine blanchet
surface area: 10,200 sqm
cost: €15,000,000
