The new complex with a total area of 35,300 m2 is located on the City of Descartes campus, which unites several universities and research centers, including the University of Paris-East and the School of Engineering for Bridges and Roads. The architect decided it as a lawn - the center of an educational campus, typical for Anglo-Saxon universities. The "common areas" are covered with a 200-meter concrete "wave" of green roofing. Climbing on this roof, you can take a look at the campus or just walk on the grass.
Under this vault are a visitor center, a conference center with a hall for 250 people, a test space measuring 50 mx 100 m, a dining room with 1,700 seats, gyms, a library, laboratories - chemical, optical and materials research. The complex also includes an office building with light “patios” - spaces for informal communication and exchange of ideas.
The new building, also called the Bienvenue Corps after 19th century engineer Füljens Bienvenue, is dedicated to learning and teaching the principles of sustainable urban development - from the level of materials and details to the most general, global principles, as well as design, construction and management. Institutions - users of the new science center - Institute of Science and Technology for Transport, Development and Networks IFSTTAR, School of Bridges and Roads, Science and Technology Center of Buildings, as well as divisions of the University of Paris-East - Paris and French Institutes of Urbanism. The building is designed for 1000 employees and 700 students.
As the building is “dedicated” to the theme of sustainable development, it complies with the French eco-standards for office buildings Démarche HQE 2006 and for buildings with low resource consumption. The Bienvenue building is distinguished by high quality insulation of the shell, extensive use of natural lighting and ventilation, movable "sun cutters" on the facades, opening windows, geothermal cooling and heating systems.
