Behind the project
The Grande Arche de La Défense is a hollow "cube" almost 110 metres high, designed by the architect Johan Otto von Spreckelsen and completed by Paul Andreu.
Its modernism, simplicity and elegance immediately appealed. Its location on the historic axis of Paris and at the heart of the new Paris district means that it has been a building at the crossroads of different eras from the outset.
26 years later, this monument has become a world-renowned work of art. However, the passage of time and changes in working practices have changed this.
For this reason, a renovation project was launched to rejuvenate and improve it, while respecting the original work.
The Eiffage task force
Following a competitive design-build tender, the French government entrusted the Eiffage Group, together with architects Valoide & Pistre, with the refurbishment of the building and the improvement of its technical performance, across a total area of 74,750 m².
The work, costed at €192 million, was carried out under a 20-year administrative long-term lease.
Eiffage deployed a wide range of expertise through Eiffage Concessions, Goyer, Eiffage Construction Grands Projets, Eiffage énergie, Eiffage Construction Métallique and Eiffage énergie Thermie.
The project was fully completed in June 2017, taking a total of 27 months to complete, with up to 700 people working on site at the peak of the works.
Eiffage Services will be responsible for maintaining the roofed enclosure and operating the belvedere until 2034.
Modernisation of workspaces
The refurbishment and modernisation of the equipment and workspaces, in line with the latest standards applicable to energy consumption, comfort and accessibility, took 30 months to complete and involved many of the Group's skills (Eiffage Construction Grands Projets, Eiffage Energie and façade designer Goyer).
The renovated premises are occupied by the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, and the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Rural Development, with the State owning the south wall and roof.
The works have been awarded HQE renovation certification for tertiary buildings and BBC Rénovation certification.
Renovation of façades and panoramic lifts
The marble on the façades and tympanums has been replaced by "bethel white" granite, quarried in Vermont, USA. Its surface treatment gives it the same colour and shine as the original marble.
The particular configuration of the tympanums required the use of special mobile cradles, anchored to the structure, to ensure the productivity and safety of the slab replacement.
Four new panoramic lifts take visitors up to the 35th and top floor, where they can enjoy the view from the belvedere.
A walk between "heaven and earth"
The refurbishment and modernisation of the equipment and workspaces, in line with the latest standards applicable to energy consumption, comfort and accessibility, took 30 months to complete and involved many of the Group's skills (Eiffage Construction Grands Projets, Eiffage Energie and façade designer Goyer).
The renovated premises are occupied by the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, and the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Rural Development, with the State owning the south wall and roof.
The works have been awarded HQE renovation certification for tertiary buildings and BBC Rénovation certification.