Orange Cube

ORANGE CUBE

The 370-acre (150-ha) area located at the confluence of the Saône and Rhône rivers in Lyon has been the

object of an ambitious urban redevelopment program since the 1990s. Under the authority of the VNF (Voies Navigables de France) in partnership with Caisse des Dépôts and the local development authority Sem Lyon Confluence, the former dock and warehouse zone has seen the construction of many projects, including the Musée des Confluences (Coop Himmelb(I)au, 2014).

The overall scheme involved bringing contemporary architecture, culture, and commerce together.

The 67,812-sq. ft. (6,300-m?) Orange Cube building

is based on a 95 x 108-ft. (29 x 33-m) framework formed with five levels of concrete pillars. The orthogonal cube structure, which has a bright orange pixelated façade, is marked by a large void that pierces the riverside façade and rises to the roof terrace. The orange color was chosen because it is an "industrial" color often used in harbor areas.

The original Euclidean solid is in fact marked by the subtraction of three conic volumes at different levels-at the entry, through the façade, and on the roof. The open atrium of the building serves not only to animate and differentiate the otherwise orthogonal volume, but also, of course, to bring in air and light and to allow views to the exterior from deep within the building. The main elliptical hole in the façade creates an atrium within the volume, which is surrounded by balconies that connect the office spaces and affirm a sense of shared conviviality. In some sense, this means that the external facade of the building becomes part of the interior, even as it enlivens the space within.

The rounded shape of the entry opening is inspired by the arches of the neighboring Salins warehouse.

A roof terrace offers panoramic views of the city and its environment.

In keeping with the strategies of the Lyon Confluence area, a considerable emphasis was placed on energy savings in the project. Façade optimization, heat pumps, and photovoltaic panels that cover part of the energy usage of the building are key elements of the strategy employed. The unusual form of the building also brings in a large amount of daylight, reducing electricity used for artificial lighting.

Completed in 2010

Photos: Nicolas Borel, Roland Halbe