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FABRIC BLOCK

PROJECT FOR A RESEARCH FACILITY

Project ID

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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
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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

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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.

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