barthélémy griño architectes raises a perforated radar tower in saclay, paris

barthélémy griño architectes has designed a soaring radar tower in paris defined by a perforated trunk of prefabricated concrete. sited on the campus of the école polytechnique, the radar tower is one of the first projects of a large-scale science cluster planned for the saclay plateau.

the radar tower is one of the first projects for the large-scale science cluster on saclay plateau
all images by hélène binet

over 60m high, the barthélémy griño architectes-designed tower provides a reliable air traffic control on the approach to paris orly airport. rising above trees, the tower is intended as a landmark indicating and orientating the new area of development. its 13.9 m diameter cylindrical trunk, houses all required  technical equipment, the only protrusion being the radome at the top. this simplicity of form is reinforced by the use of just one material: light grey, high quality prefabricated concrete.

tower provides a reliable air traffic control on the approach to paris orly airport

conscious of the relationship between the tower and its sky blue backdrop, the structural wall is perforated allowing light to shine through. each level is made of 28 concrete posts, arranged regularly. these posts are trapezoidal, with important variations in width on their back face. with a height of 4.84m, they are set into annular beams at their head and base, forming 12 superimposed sections. each section is offset by a half-grid rotation, breaking the project’s vertical continuity. the porosity of the trunk, the alternately arranged posts and their multiple faces combine to form a sort of kaleidoscope beneath the changing light.

rising above trees, the tower is a landmark indicating and orientating a new area of development

the internal volume is open to the air, interrupted only by the lightweight steel structure of the stairwell and lift shaft. behind its formal simplicity, the construction boasts a complex structural functionality, particularly in the face of wind. the porosity of the trunk meant that wind tunnel testing was necessary. the tower’s stability is obtained using the principles of a vierendeel truss system with posts embedded into beams. this assembly — repeated 666 times — constituted a real technical challenge because of the multiple structural difficulties it poses: securing the parts together at altitude, precision adjustment, substantial and complex loading, the density and geometric variation of the sections. this key point was solved with the use of specific concrete connections (peikko system). 

conscious of the tower and its sky blue backdrop, the structural wall is perforated allowing light to shine through

each level is made of 28 concrete posts, arranged regularly

each section is offset by a half-grid rotation, breaking the project’s vertical continuity

the internal volume is open to the air, interrupted only by the lightweight steel structure of the stairwell

behind its formal simplicity, the construction boasts a complex structural functionality

plans and section

plans and section

project info:

client: direction des services de la navigation aérienne, paris
architects: barthélémy griño architectes, paris
structural engineering: t/e/s/s, paris
mechanical engineering: mtc, la-varenne-saint-hilaire
lighting consultant: 8’18’’, paris
general contractor: rabot dutilleul construction, paris
prefabricated concrete contractor: techni prefa, sainte-radegonde
photographer: hélène binet, london

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edited by: peter corboy | designboom