Extension Université Paris Descartes by Zündel Cristea

In the west of Paris, in the sixteenth arrondissement, a new lecture hall was created according to the project of the local studio A/ZC (Atelier Zündel Cristea) for the needs of the young University of Paris V (Université Paris Descartes). The building is hidden in an inner courtyard between the busy Avenue de Versailles and the right bank of the Seine River. The wooden structure from the outside resembles more of a warehouse or workshop than a university building, housing two smaller classrooms and two lecture halls with a capacity of 200 seats and a ceiling height of nearly ten meters. The little-used courtyard has thus acquired a new surface made of acacia wood, a new functional purpose, and underground parking. The entrance to the building is located in the middle, from which symmetrical doors lead to all teaching rooms. The brown cladding of vertical spruce slats is meant to reference the adjacent fire walls made of exposed brick. In contrast to the dark outer shell, the interior features boards made of pine wood and light gray tones for the floors, ceilings, and furniture.

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