“Architecture is nothing without ambition” are famous words of Grégoire Zündel and Irina Cristea, the founders of Atelier Zundel Cristea. Taking inspiration from around the world, AZC focus on creating efficient buildings that transcend boundaries. Founded in 2001 in Alsace, the firm currently is established in Paris since 2005. The firm executes a variety of projects which include public and private commissions. They have dabbled into sports, medicine, housing, education, the service sector, and healthcare. Without further ado, here is a list of 10 iconic projects by Atelier Zündel Cristea!
Peace Pavilion
Although this project is a temporary installation, the impact is long-lasting. The peace pavilion provides an avenue for people to collaborate, think and unite. Located in Museum Gardens which has a historic background, the pavilion provides a platform for the imagination to ignite. Based on the idea of peace, the 4-meter-high pavilion is in perfect symmetry, thus in a state of equilibrium. There is symmetry without rigidity. It provides a sense of fluidity resulting in an amicable atmosphere. You can climb and jump on the structure as its roof supports trampolines. A self-supporting structure, this sculpture-like pavilion is truly a marvel of parametric design.
Planchette Sheltered Housing
Adapting to Paris’s high density, Atelier Zündel Cristea has created an open and breathable nursing home. The building is a medical reception center and a care home for aging and disabled persons. It fights right into the existing context of Ruelle da la Planchette and creates a morphing form. Although the site is tricky to work with, the architects have given the space two courtyards providing ample sunlight throughout the rooms and circulation. Natural light fills the spaces not only from the windows on the façade but also, from the slanted roofs that interact that provide a dynamic element in the landscape. The 26,910 square foot building stands out from its neighbors through its protective and smooth white skin exuding charm on the streets.
Battersea Power Station
Bringing back the joy of life, Battersea Power Station is bound to bring a smile to your face. Atelier Zündel Cristea has created an eye-catching museum centered around the Battersea Power Station in London. They wanted the architecture to highlight the station by creating a contrast. A brick façade surrounds the station representing contemplating and reflection, while the rail connects the museum to the landscape, making it fun and exciting. Playing around with scales and bringing a roller coaster rail into the space, the architects have redefined circulation! Views are provided toward the interior and the exterior, allowing the museum to stand out, and become the central focus.
Zac Claude Bernard Multifunctional Building
Adhering to the requirements of Boulevard Macdonald’s Local Plan of Urbanism (PLU), Atelier Zündel Cristea created a multifunctional building on the concept of trays. The Zac Claude Bernard Building consists of a retirement home with private residences. Here, the size of the floor slabs indicates the change in function, due to the architect’s concept of stacking trays. Thus, the first five floors consist of the retirement home while the rest of the flour floors with tray shrinkage consists of private residences. With the challenge of adhering to strict guidelines, the architects have still enhanced the user experience. They provided long windows to make the space more humanistic letting the views in. They have also catered to creating a skylight by tampering with the interior edges of the building.
Fonderie
Fonderie is a healthcare facility located in Mulhouse, France. Here, the medical offices and consultation rooms have been visibly divided by stark volumes. Atelier Zundel Cristea cleverly utilized the ceiling height to its advantage. A small third floor has been created to cater to technical and archival needs, all the while the third floor converts into different heights for the offices giving them a dynamic feel. The exterior form generates a very dynamic quality of spaces on the interior with monotone staircases and ceilings giving the spaces a very sculptural essence.
Sports Center in Neudorf
Acting as a marker in Strasbourg, France, this sports complex stands out in the neighborhood of Route du Rhin. The building is functional yet aesthetic, with separate entrances for public and private events. To complete the requirements of the sports hall, the architects were restricted to manipulate the volume, however, they have shown creativity in the material and façade. The overall complex is standing on a concrete plinth and is topped up by a transparent window that showcases the sustainable material, timber. The space is made extremely transparent and breathable by utilizing natural ventilation. The slits and unique joinery for the walls and roofing not only give the space sculptural quality but also create unique light-play throughout the day!
Maison à Vincennes
The house in Vincennes is one of the firm’s renovation works. It’s located in the historic area surrounding Chateau de Vincennes. Before the renovation, the house had a dysfunctional room arrangement, no insulation, and non-waterproof windows. Now, Atelier Zündel Cristea has created a highly efficient project with low emissions. The architects introduced geothermal heating, allowing double airflow ventilation. They entirely changed the space planning while respecting the traditional façade. With a properly designed basement, attic spaces, and an extension, the habitable area of the house increased from 970 square feet to 2370 square feet!
Avenue Leclerc Office Building
Another larger-scale renovation project of Atelier Zündel Cristea is the Avenue Leclerc Building. An office space located in the Boulogne Billancourt. Overall, they’ve yet again taken a very efficient and transparent approach by giving the façade 65% glass. However, it is double-ventilated ensuring human comfort. Adhering to the requirements of flexible workspaces, a modular approach is taken by applying a uniform grid to the façade paneling. This uniform grid was replicated in the flooring by suspending the ceilings and floorings for technicalities. Overall, the renovated building reflects the idea of offices today and its primary focus is on well-being within the work environment.
Louis Dreyfus Armateurs Headquarters
This six-level office space is in the undulating landscapes of Suresnes, France. Atelier Zündel Cristea has designed this building utilizing three principles: fluidity in organization, open circulation, and a thermal and acoustic friendly façade. Thus, features such as an atrium organize the spaces via a sculptural ramp. For the façade, a double skin naturally ventilated façade consists of a third layer of blinds to control light. Lastly, a courtyard to connect to the surroundings. Truly, the building stands out as a landmark for Louis Dreyfus Armateurs.
Metro Station
Where a metro station can feel segregated and isolated, Atelier Zündel Cristea has made sure that this metro station in Pierre-Benite, France, is as open as possible. The main focus of this design is the idea of serenity and timelessness. Here, the circulation is most interesting when passengers meet at a mezzanine level where they can see what is happening below the underground level. This gives the subway a spatial quality and more places for respite and chance encounters. The architects have enhanced the sensory quality of the spaces by capitalizing on views, sounds, and light reflectivity from the materials of the station.
References
Archdaily (2023) Atelier Zündel Cristea, ArchDaily. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/office/atelier-zundel-cristea?ad_name=project-specs (Accessed: January 7, 2023)
Archello (2023) Azc Atelier Zündel Cristea, Archello. Available at: https://archello.com/brand/azc-atelier-zundel-cristea (Accessed: January 7, 2023).
