FABRIC BLOCK
PROJECT FOR A RESEARCH FACILITY
Project ID
PARTNERS
YEAR
SITE
TYPE
TEAM
ROLE
Politecnico di Milano
2021
Plateau Saclay, Paris, France
Academic Project (MSc)
Daniele Florenzano, Riccardo Finardi, Lorenzo Mennuti
Architectural Designer, BIM Specialist, Visualizer
Project Description
Fabric Block is the vision for the IP Center for Research Excel- lence in Health Systems and Biomedical Engineering, situated within the citadel of Knowledge of Paris Saclay. The design centers on the "cell" concept, represented by the single labo- ratory unit, where each cell forms the building's modular foun- dation, connected by corridors into an expandable, mat-like structure. The external facade acts as a 'section’ of the build- ing's virtually infinite fabric at the site boundaries, reflecting the building's internal organization. In contrast, the internal facade retracts modularly, creating a boulevard with terrac- es enhancing urban connectivity. This modular approach in- tegrates a city within a building, balancing structural perma- nence with flexible infill, creating a cohesive urban fabric.
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
I. CELL EXPANSION
II. CONNECTION
ACROSS CELLS
III. FABRIC
IV. ROTATION AND BOULEVARD
V. INTERNAL
PUBLIC PLAZAS
VI. PLOT BOUNDARIES
URBAN ELEMENTS
FLOOR DEVELOPMENT
FLOOR 5
Public Terrace
FLOOR 4
Wet Lab, Dry Labs, Office Spaces, Public Terrace
FLOOR 3
Wet Lab, Dry Labs, Office Spaces, Public Terrace,
Bridge Connection
FLOOR 2
Wet Lab, Dry Labs, Office Spaces, Public Terrace,
Bridge Connection
FLOOR 1
Coworking, Food Court, Commercial Activities
FLOOR 0
Commercial Activities, Museum, Public Plazas
FLOOR -1
Theatre Foyer, Parking, Public Spaces
FLOOR -2
Theatre
SKIn & Bones
LABORATORY UNIT LAYOUT
The basic module defining the building structure is described by the laboratory unit. Its layout is composed by a space enclosed between two multifunctional cores with a central corridors separating specialized labs with office spaces.
Due to the 'city like' organisation of the public space of the building, each side of the block is facing a full height public open corridor, providing natural light at all times.