The Crédit Mutuel building, located at the southern entrance to the city center, is an attempt by architects to change the bank's usual image - closedness and solidity - for transparency and lightness, which is especially important after the 2008 crisis, when financial institutions are often viewed with suspicion in society. This purpose is served by glass facades, in particular, their outer layer - glass sunscreen slats with a silk-screened pattern. They are driven by special motors controlled by sensors.
The plan is organized around two open courtyards and an atrium. A steel frame was chosen for the building, which accelerated construction and reduced the emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere. Thanks to this, it was also possible to obtain office spaces with a span of 12 meters. They occupy the top three levels; below are meeting rooms and a cafeteria for employees. Half of the first floor is open to the public: there is an exhibition hall, auditorium, cafe and a lobby decorated with a green moss wall.
In addition to the new building, AIA was also involved in the renovation of the adjacent bank, CIC Ouest; The Crédit Mutuel cafeteria serves employees of both institutions, and an attractive public space has been created between the new and refurbished buildings.
Crédit Mutuel's headquarters are 14,000 m2, with an additional 12,000 m2 provided by its underground garage. The reconstructed CIC Ouest is 16 300 m2 of area. The budget for new construction is 50 million euros, for reconstruction - 27 million euros.
