Le Pavillon Jardins, a New Building in the Heart of La Villette in Paris, Designed by the Architectural Studio Atelier du Pont

The teams responsible for managing the Parc de la Villette in Paris and its facilities were previously housed in the Cité Jardin, consisting of nine prefabricated buildings constructed in 1982 and in an advanced state of disrepair.  The Etablissement Public du Parc et de la Grande Halle de la Villette (EPPGHV) aimed to construct a new operations building on the site of the current Cité Jardin, providing its teams with a more efficient working tool and returning green spaces to the public in this environmentally friendly urban area.  Atelier du Pont designed this new workplace as a base camp for 155 workstations over an area of 3,000 m², with 5,000 m² of space returned to the park

Architectural Design

The project is in harmony with the Parc de la Villette and Bernard Tschumi’s original design. It has been conceived around a generic structure where uses and activities create the identity of the place, blending nature with architecture and sharing space to add value. 

The design features two interwoven structures: one of concrete for its strength and inertia, and the other of wood for its lightness and low environmental impact. 

Both structures can span 12 meters, freeing up interior spaces. This is a building with variable geometry that can adapt to the projects it hosts.

To preserve and enhance the natural heritage and biodiversity of the Park, the building is compact, with a limited footprint that allows for the restitution of 5,000 m² of green space to the public and access to the Rouvray dock. 

Custom Interior Design

Bathed in an undergrowth atmosphere created by the play of natural light through the structure, the Pavillon Jardins serves as the new base camp for the teams of the Etablissement Public du Parc et de la Grande Halle de la Villette. 

It is distributed over two levels around a central atrium with bleachers, allowing for project presentations, conferences, and informal meetings. 

Custom micro-architectures punctuate the spaces, serving as meeting bubbles, photocopy rooms, and coffee areas.The workspaces are flexible and enjoy panoramic views of the Park’s abundant vegetation.

Designed in consultation with users, they can be freely organized with furniture designed by Atelier du Pont, some of which have been made by the La Villette teams.

the plans

Project: Le Pavillon Jardins.
Project Owner: Etablissement Public du Parc et de la Grande Halle de la Villette.
Lead Architect and Interior Architect: Atelier du Pont.
Structural Design: EVP ingénierie.
Façade Design : VP & Green.
Fluid and Thermal Engineering : Delta fluides.
Environmental Engineering : Plan 02.
Construction Economics: Axio
Ecology : Atelier d’écologie urbaine.
Acoustic Design: Ingeniero de diseño acústico.
Asbestos Removal, Decontamination, Demolition: Ginger Deleo.
Completion: 2024
Site Area: 9.330 m² incluidos 6.000 m² de zona verde
Built Area: 3.000 m²
Contractors: PREMYS – demolición. PITEL – trabajos estructurales. Briand Construction bois -estructura de madera. Etanchisol – impermeabilización. Verre & Métal – fachada acristalada, carpintería metálica. SGD Gallo – tabiques, revestimientos. Bonnardel – carpintería interior. MCI – climatización, fontanería. Bouygues énergies & services – corriente pesada, corriente ligera. TK Elevator – ascensores. Terideal – herrajes exteriores. Remi Antoine – herrajes.
Environmental Approach: Plan Climático de la Ciudad de París. Edificio de nivel 3. Etiqueta E3C1. Estructura de abeto douglas del Macizo Central PEFC. Equipamiento interior de madera PEFC (alerce, abedul, fresno, roble, abeto y álamo). Sistemas de baja tecnología, ventilación natural y disipadores de calor Techo de cristal fotovoltaico.
Photography: Charly Broyez. Vincent Leroux. Frédéric Delangle. Maria Missaglia.
Text: Atelier du Pont.

Atelier du Pont

Atelier du Pont is an architecture, interior design, and product design studio. Founded in 1997 by Anne-Cécile Comar and Philippe Croisier, the practice has grown into a multidisciplinary team encompassing professionals from a wide range of fields.

Their approach is holistic. Whether designing a 15 m² boutique or a 10,000 m² building, they address every aspect of the project—architecture, urban planning, interior design, furniture, art direction, and spatial strategy. This comprehensive vision is one of their defining traits.

In the early stages of any project, they study the landscape and climate, but also local traditions, raw materials, and the genius loci—the spirit of the place. They advocate for a contextual and generous architecture, with no preconceived answers. Each project becomes an opportunity to explore new directions and techniques. Their working environment encourages experimentation with combinations and materials. The right choice of materials is what gives each project its authenticity and identity.

Conceived as a small laboratory, their new studio on Impasse Lamier, in the heart of Paris’s 11th arrondissement, is both a showcase of their expertise and a reflection of their design philosophy. It is also a space for living, sharing ideas, and even playing sports—a place to experiment with new ways of working and the kinds of spaces they envision.

Today, Atelier du Pont is a team of 40 professionals: architects, designers, project managers, interior architects, and consultants—including a dedicated in-house unit for ecodesign.

Project by Atelier du Pont