The Vandam-Nord quarter near the Montparnasse station was developed by the architect Pierre Dufau in the early 1970s: in addition to a 30-storey hotel tower, it includes a stylobate with offices, a district library, a shopping center and underground parking. One of the largest structures of this type for its time today is perceived as a self-contained "super-quarter", unfriendly to pedestrians, devoid of human scale and its own image.
MVRDV architects plan to change its appearance and transform the device, however, retaining its structure. According to their plan, different functional parts of the complex will be located in blocks of different sizes, shapes, colors and materials. These blocks protruding like consoles will define the new look of the building - as well as vertical landscaping and terraces, including on the roof - and will demonstrate its "filling" to the townspeople on the principle of showcases. This solution is a bit like
Seoul multifunctional complex of the same architects.
The Vandam library will be moved from the underground tier to the upper level of the stylobate, where the illumination is better; office space, now located throughout the entire area of the building, will be concentrated in a 6-storey building. The shopping center will be expanded, its shops, cafes and bars will be renovated. The Pullman is also being upgraded.
The main additions will be 62 social housing apartments and a 500 m2 kindergarten. There will also be a place for 150 scooters in the parking lot.
