Project Overview

The historic La Samaritaine department store has reopened in Paris with a new undulating glass facade following an extensive renovation led by Pritzker Prize-winning studio SANAA.

Project Commissioner

Grands Magasins de La Samaritaine, LVMH Hotel Management and DFS

Project Creator

SANAA

Team

Architect: SANAA (Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa)
Operations architect: SRA Architectes
Hotel decoration and design: Peter Marino and OAL, Maison Edouard Franois
Retail interiors: Yabu Pushelberg, Agence de cration Malherbe Paris, Studio Cigu
Historical monument architect: Jean-Franois Lagneau and Lagneau Architectes
Social housing and creche: Franois Brugel Architectes Associs
Executive project management: Egis
General contractor: Vinci Construction France
Specialist contractors: Frener & Reifer, SMB-CCS, Viry, Socra, AOF and Atelier Bouvier

Project Brief

Commissioned by the owners, French luxury goods company LVMH, the overhaul transformed the store on the banks of the River Seine following its closure in 2005 over safety concerns.

Project Innovation/Need

SANAA's design involved the restoration of many original art nouveau and art deco details, alongside a remodel and refurbishment of the buildings to bring them to modern-day standards.

SANAA has also introduced glass-domed courtyards between two of the buildings to help filter light in through the depths of the complex.

One of the biggest parts of the project was the restoration of the existing art nouveau and art deco building closest to the Seine, which is registered as a historical monument.

This included restoring its cast-iron signs, ceramic decorations, decorative pillars and the original multicoloured enamel tile facades that had been hidden under a stone-coloured wash.

Inside the same building, its staircase-filled atrium that is crowned by a rectangular glass roof built in 1905 has been restored to its former glory.

The roof structure, which had been covered to reduce light levels in the building, has been recreated with electrochromic glass that becomes tinted in sunlight.

Various firms have contributed to the retail interiors, including Yabu Pushelberg, Ciguë and Malherbe Paris. François collaborated with interior architect Peter Marino on the interiors of the new hotel, which occupies the other Seine-side building.

(text via dezeen)