Actually we was wrong, Bechu was the winner.
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Posted by Brisavoine in SCC (aka New Brisavoine here)
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The winner of the architect contest to build the D2 Tower in La Défense was revealed a few days ago. It is French architect Anthony Béchu. Béchu's D2 Tower is approx. 180m (590 ft) high. It is part of the 1st stage of the La Défense regeneration plan (2007-2013).
No renders have been revealed yet. Earlier last year we saw renders of a project for the D2 Tower by Béchu. I don't know if it's the same project that won the architect contest.
Here are the renders from Béchu's proposal for the D2 Tower last year:
So it looks like Paris is set to have its own gherkin, sorry it's
cornichon. The height will be about the same as the Swiss Re Tower in London.
The D2 Tower will replace the 9-floor Veritas Building built in 1984 and which will be destroyed to make way for the D2 Tower. Here is the location of the Veritas Building/D2 Tower in La Défense:
This is the 9-floor Veritas Building today. The level difference between La Défense's concrete slab (to the left, not visible in this picture) and the natural street level located about 20 meters below the concrete slab is the reason for the elevated ramps (climbing toward the slab) and concrete jungle bordering the Veritas Building:
Compare with this render of the base of D2 Tower. The base will be completely integrated with the boulevard. Béchu aims to smoothen the level difference between the concrete slab and the natural street level to restore a more traditional urban appearance. It's also quite visible in the first image at the beginning of this message, with what appears like impressive stairs linking the elevated slab and the boulevard.
The D2 Tower will stand next to the iconic CBX Tower:
Larger view, with heights:
At night:
D2 Tower will stand next to Air², Generali, New Axa, and New Gan (not shown here). Probably the most impressive line-up of skyscrapers in Europe:
The same area from the other side:
Same view, but with the New Gan Tower this time (Air² is not shown here):
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This is the project of Manuel Gautrand