Paris La Défense launches the in-depth metamorphosis of Place de La Défense

A true nerve center of the leading European business district, Place de La Défense is the link between the Parvis, at the foot of the Grande Arche, and the Esplanade du Général de Gaulle which leads to Paris (see location maps below). after). Designed in the early 70s and in its current configuration since 1981, the Place had to find a new lease of life. Beyond the resolution of technical points (waterproofing and flooring in particular), Paris La Défense wishes to reaffirm the identity of the Place by giving it a more vegetal, more wooded and more fluid dimension, while maintaining its appearance. friendly and attractive, and relying in particular on two works of art, central pieces of the decor of the Square: the Red Spider by Calder and the Fantastic Characters by Miró.

“2021 will be rich in changes for three emblematic places of the territory: the Park, the sub-slab spaces and, more particularly, the Place de La Défense. Central point of the large urban landscape of La Défense, it is also our “village square”, a place of life and meetings, the scene of many festive events such as the Jazz festival in La Défense. It was urgent to give it a new shine, while focusing on its adaptability, like a neighborhood that is constantly renewing itself. "
Pierre-Yves Guice, Managing Director of Paris La Défense

As the client, Paris La Défense entrusted the landscape designer Base with the reconfiguration of Place de La Défense. Remember that this square is not a traditional public space. Its transformation involved the integration of numerous and complex constraints, the whole being built on top of infrastructures located under the slab (parking, underground ways, transport networks ...).

“We are reconfiguring the space in its entirety by carrying out a work as a designer aimed at integrating the existing sculptural elements, while maintaining its fundamentals in terms of circulation and uses. We want to give Place de La Défense a sensual and organic dimension. " adds Adrien Fourès, landscape architect from the BASE agency, in charge of the redevelopment of the Place.

An event space and four living spaces

La Place offers a square space of 20 m² bordered by the Westfield Les 000 Temps shopping center on one side, and the Maison de La Défense on the other (see location maps below).

Here are the 5 spaces of the future Place:

• The central square of 4 m² will offer a level floor with a more suitable and unified coating, punctuated by lines, echoing those of the Parvis. Concrete poured in place and then sanded will reveal colorful details and brass encrusted stars. Access to the car park will be improved with the raising of the lifts. Fogging faults will refresh passers-by in summer. Regularly the scene of numerous events and festivities, outside the current health context, the Place will have all the assets to strengthen its primary vocation: to be the beating heart of the territory.
• Cropped and completely redone, the large lawn of nearly 2 m² will immerse visitors in a more vegetal atmosphere.
• The living space around Calder's Red Spider : the work of art will rise in the middle of a green space, characterized by high vegetation which can be planted here. The space will thus be planted with colorful species in warm tones (Montpellier Maples, Charms and Sorbiers), echoing the sculpture and new, more numerous seats will be installed.
• The space to live around Miró's work : The fantastic characters will find themselves in the heart of a garden full of curves, just like them. Preserved, the step will be integrated into the whole, partly planted and embellished with flowery and colored species (Saskatoon berries, Sorbs, Ornamental cherry trees).
  
  
• The living space on the side of the glass roof (glass roof located above the Coeur Transport station) will be embellished with new shrubs (Judas trees, field maples, ornamental cherry trees), creating a green setting. A misting system will complete the new facilities.

Completely reconfigured, the lighting of the Place will simplify and streamline pedestrian circulation as well as those of people with reduced mobility, in particular when exiting public transport. The 18 poles will be replaced by 8 projectors of 14 and 18 meters high, they will thus allow lighting up to the center of the Square.

The first works will be carried out in phases and by sectors, starting with the peripheral areas of the Square and ending with the central part. Circulations will therefore be maintained throughout the work. The first stage, from March to September 2021, concerns the recomposition of the northern space, on the side of the Maison de La Défense and the Red Spider of Calder, as well as an area around the RATP glass roof, with works at night so as not to interrupt access to Coeur Transport during the day. The phases will then follow one another for delivery in spring 2023.

The work is carried out in three stages:

• Demolition of existing coatings and sub-layers (backfill and waterproofing)
• The installation of a new waterproofing complex
• The on-site production of poured concrete slabs (they will not be prefabricated elements)