French architects Studio Bellecour have completed a pair of office buildings near Toulouse, France, wrapped in aluminum fins and connected by a twisting concrete element.

The horizontal fins curve around all sides of both offices to prevent overheating in the summer and reflect light back into rooms during the winter.

Above photograph is by Christophe Picci

Between the two volumes sits a half-raised courtyard with landscaped gardens and an underground car-park beneath.

A steel-frame pod rendered in concrete and used for storing bikes slightly overhangs the edge of the raised courtyard.

All other photographs are by Nicolas Borel unless stated otherwise.

Here's some more from the architects:

The project

Galilée is one of the debut projects realized in the UDZ (Urban De- velopment Zone) Andromède, in Blagnac, near Toulouse in France.

The particular urban details of this UDZ in Blagnac provided a unique climate for the development of a quality architectural project. The aesthetic of Galilée results from a combination of an interpretation of these urban rules, the immediate aeronautical context, and from the environmental requirements given in the specifications of the UDZ.

The plan is centered on two distinct buildings which are connected by a long white concrete veil. The veil, the primary visual feature of the overall plan, blends vertical and horizontal motions as it slowly curves in a helical movement.

This veil achieves the double feature of insuring the continuity between each building while allowing one to discover the rear landscape in all its depth.  Thus this long concrete helix, which recalls the aeronautical context of the site, both protects the building by marking the front of the street as well as welcomes us by its inviting view.

Above photograph is by Quentin Jeandel

Two covered buildings wrapped in special insulating material and canopies, modulated according to the illumination, confer on the operation the environmental characteristics HEQ.

Above photograph is by Quentin Jeandel

A unique formal style distinguishes and individual sizes of these buildings. Nevertheless, the coherence and balance of the whole is maintained by the homo- genous treatment of the façades.

Above photograph is by Quentin Jeandel

The difference of shape and the resemblance of materials make fraternal twins out of these two buildings, which works to maintain options for future users of the space.

Above photograph is by Studio Bellecour

That is, the distinctions between the buildings would allow multiple tenants to maintain an air of individuality while at the same time the continuous architectural themes provide an appropriate environment for one single occupant.

Above photograph is by Studio Bellecour

A central square constitutes the central space, the place of privileged pedestrian access towards both halls. The square is slightly heightened to allow for a level of half-buried parking lots organized around a central garden with natural air circulation. A large white concrete form looking like a shingle offers space for bikes within the landscape.

Location: UDZ Andromède, Blagnac - TOULOUSE, France
Client: Altarea COGEDIM
Owner: Crédit Suisse
Project management Project manager: STUDIO BELLECOUR, SAS d’architecture
Architect: Wilfrid Bellecour
Team: Vincent Ballion, Julien Franco, Brice Kester, Damien Lamy, Sinda Tobni
Execution project management: BEFS Inspection office SOCOTEC Inspection office SPS SOCOTEC OPC CARI

Above photograph is by Christophe Picci

Building materials and specifications: concrete, aluminium sun shades, exterior insulation, green roofs, basalt stone forecourt, green trellis over car park
Building permit: november 2007
Surface area: 11 102 sq.m.
Estimated Cost: M€ 20
Construction work: April 2008
Delivery: 2010

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