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The Avenue Montaigne is one of the premiere addresses in Paris. The development undertook the transformation of several buildings behind a restored 19th century limestone facade on 50 Avenue Montaigne into a multi-use commercial and modern office complex. The semi-circular atrium is a major feature of the building, providing its main focus. Flanked by glass walls supported by a tension cable structure, it opens into a landscaped garden on one side and neighboring courtyard on the other, bringing light and a feeling of expansiveness. The cable structure is engineered by Peter Rice and his Parisian associates - RFR. The fritting of the glass diffuses light at night and makes the glass simultaneously transparent and reflective, giving a dual visual quality to the space. It allows neighboring buildings to be seen, while reflecting the semi-circles of the atrium to create the image of a complete cylinder. “Power of address,” interpreted in a linear pattern parallel to the Avenue, is reflected in the stone floor and extends into the gardens on both sides of the atrium. This new unified structure is served by two banks of elevators that are situated to allow maximum flexibility to the office layout.
Objects are carefully detailed throughout the project. Materials, finishes and their relations are constantly examined to reflect their nature and purpose. Two granite types with different surface finishes and accents of impregnated wood and stainless steel create a unique composition of the floor. Wood walls provide background to sand-blasted aluminum columns and shot-pined stainless steel panels. The contrast of warm anigre wood with metal and stone define a sophisticated palette of atrium finishes.
The atrium expands into a fully integrated courtyard garden, which responds to the linear geometry through a composition of stainless steel water columns and long water basins that alternate with rows of trees. “The design principles of layering, parallel composition, and axial ordering were applied to the landscape materials of stone, metal, water, and plants to create a garden that draws viewers into and through its spaces” says Michael Van Valkenburgh, the project’s landscape architect. Benches used in the garden are sculptures by Judy McKie.
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