Located at the corner of Rue Danton and Rue des Rancy, in the heart of Lyon’s Part-Dieu district, this project is part of a contemporary urban dynamic, while embracing a strong industrial heritage. Its name draws inspiration from the history of Lyon, a city emblematic of manufacturing and historic factories, where the structural framework was at once rational, legible, and durable. Like these industrial buildings, the structure features a form that tapers gradually up to the fifth floor, asserting a simple and cohesive identity, supported by a unified framework that brings together all functions and facades.
The unified grid is the project’s founding principle. It structures the building’s framework, its façade design, and the organization of all its functions. Conceived as a generic, repetitive system, this grid accommodates three distinct functions—retail, residential, and office—without disrupting the architectural style. The building is thus conceived as a coherent and legible whole, where programmatic diversity is integrated into a single structural logic.
On the facade, the repetition of identical openings creates a regular, controlled rhythm, where the architectural expression reflects the structure without revealing the interior use. The grid becomes a common language, capable of standing the test of time without losing its relevance, much like the renovations in Soho.
Spatially, the structural grid generates modular floors that can be easily divided or reconfigured as needed. The retail spaces on the ground floor benefit from this approach through clear and flexible layouts, while the upper floors house residential units and offices within a shared framework conducive to functional diversity.
This unique grid is also reflected in the building’s relationship to the site. On the inner block side, the interior facade—featuring solid panels over openings—establishes a different rhythm: a denser, more controlled design that creates a tension between interior and exterior, emphasizing a deliberate contrast between the built mass and open spaces. The gradual setback of the building, integrated into the rhythm of the grid, allows for the creation of terraces, hanging gardens, and accessible rooftops, offering scenic respites and improved natural light.
The office design is fully integrated into the single structural grid and maximizes its adaptability. The load-bearing system relies exclusively on regularly spaced columns, freeing the floor plates from any interior load-bearing walls. This open structure allows for great flexibility in layout and makes it possible, in the long term, to convert the offices into residential units without major structural modifications.
The grid dimensions were designed to simultaneously meet the requirements of both commercial and residential use: floor depth compatible with natural lighting, and a facade rhythm adapted to housing layout. This forward-thinking approach allows the building to adapt to changing work and living patterns while maintaining the architectural coherence of the structure.
By incorporating this reversibility from the design phase, the project offers a sustainable response to the contemporary challenges of the dense city. It limits the planned obsolescence of office buildings and provides long-term adaptability without altering either the structure or the building’s image. The single framework thus becomes a true tool for urban resilience, serving an architecture capable of evolving with the needs of the city of Lyon.
