Fashion house LVMH tasked SANAA with the revitalization of formerly the largest department store in Paris, La Samaritaine. The building on the rue de Rivoli has been destroyed and SANAA placed a new structure with an interior street that runs the entire building alongside social and commercial program. The passageway connects one existing and two new glass covered courtyards.
SANAA sees the connection as both a physical and symbolic link between the historic facade facing the Seine and the new wavy curtain wall along the new Rue de Rivoli building. The courtyards bring in natural light and lightness into the interiors.
The soft irregular waves resonate with the rhythm and scale of neighboring fenestration. The glass reflects and distorts its surroundings in order to approach the intended harmonious relationship between old and new.
The facade has an outer layer of 343 undulating glass panels made from extra-clear Pilkington Optiwhite, custom-bent by Cricursa and installed by glass facade specialists Frener & Reifer. The inner skin is triple glazed for thermal comfort and fire resistance. Frener & Reifer were also responsible for glass atrium roofs.
LVMH transforms the monument into a mixed use building with a 20,000 square meters department store, a luxury hotel, 15,000 square meters of office space, 96 social housing units and a daycare.
SANAA were responsible for the department store redesign, SRA Architectes as local architects to support SANAA and Lagneau Architectes for the heritage restoration.
François Brugel Architectes Associés designed the housing and nursery and Edouard François was tasked to convert the Art Deco building into a Cheval Blanc hotel.
