Atelier du Pont, a Paris-based architecture firm, is recognized for its emphasis on sustainability and ecological design. The firm sets itself apart by utilizing renewable materials, such as locally sourced wood, and creating compact, energy-efficient structures that reduce environmental impact while preserving green spaces. This approach is exemplified by projects like its own eco-responsible home in Paris, completed last year.
The studio recently completed a timber-based new home for the teams responsible for managing Parc de la Villette and its facilities in northern Paris. This workforce was previously housed in the Cité Jardin, a complex of nine prefabricated buildings constructed in 1982, which had deteriorated over time. Public entities sought to create a new building that would offer a more efficient workspace while returning park space to the public in this ecologically sensitive urban environment.
The new building, conceived as a “base camp,” accommodates 155 workstations and is envisioned as an “island of nature” that will further integrate the Parc de la Villette into the surrounding urban landscape of the 19th arrondissement. The building’s design follows the guidelines of architect Bernard Tschumi’s 1982 masterplan for the Parc de la Villette and its "Folies," with its height limited to 8 meters, matching that of the Folies.
The project is built around a flexible structure that allows its functions and events to shape its identity, blending nature and architecture to create a shared space that evolves over time. The design features two interlocking structures—one of concrete for strength and inertia, and the other of Douglas fir wood for lightness and low carbon impact, sourced from PEFC-certified forests in southern France.
The 12-meter spans of these structures free up indoor spaces, allowing the building’s variable geometry to adapt to future projects. To preserve the park's natural heritage and biodiversity, the building maintains a compact 3,000-square-meter footprint, enabling the restoration of 5,000 square meters of green space.
The pavilion is arranged around a central atrium spanning two levels and features a staircase with wide, tiered steps that double as seating and circulation. This design creates a versatile venue for project presentations, conferences, and informal gatherings. Inside, the space is highlighted by micro-architectural elements, including meeting cells, reprographic areas, and coffee lounges. The flexible workspaces offer panoramic views of the park’s lush greenery. Designed in close collaboration with its users, the work areas are freely organized with custom furniture, some of which was made by the park management office teams who now use the space.
The site covers a land surface of 9,330 square meters, with 6,000 square meters dedicated to green spaces. La Villette, Europe’s first urban park, spans 55 hectares, 33 of which are green spaces, and features numerous cultural facilities that have become central to Parisian life. Since its creation 40 years ago by Bernard Tschumi, the park, with its 26 Folies and 12 themed gardens, has continuously evolved, attracting 12 million visitors annually with its dynamic program of performances, exhibitions, and events.
