Winner of Demain Montparnasse Competition Revealed

John Hill

21. September 2017

Winning design by Nouvelle AOM (Franklin Azzi Architecture / Chartier Dalix / Hardel-Lebihan Architectes)

A trio of French architecture firms under the name Nouvelle AOM has won the competition to "create a powerful, dynamic and bold new identity for the Tour Montparnasse," one of the most unloved buildings in Paris.

Comprised of Franklin Azzi Architecture, Chartier Dalix, and Hardel-Lebihan Architectes, Nouvelle AOM's winning design "brings together a wealth of intelligent features," per a statement from Tour Montparnasse. "The redesign emphasizes the horizontal plane, putting an end to the Tower's vertical focus that left it isolated. The revamp also makes a shift from opacity to transparency, while compelling new uses will transform the Tower into a lively thriving place, giving it back to the people of Paris." Furthermore, the designers boast that their design will give the tower "a complete sustainable 'green' makeover of the facade. The aim is to make the Tower an icon of the 21st century energy revolution."

The €300 million, privately funded renovation of Tour Montparnasse is expected to be completed by 2024, when Paris will host the Olympic Games.

Nouvelle AOM beat out six other finalists, whose schemes are visible below and at Pavillon de l’Arsenal, which is exhibiting the seven projects until 22 October 2017.