An ambitious mixed-use project in the Paris Rive Gauche development Zone

About the project

The University of Chicago, the City of Paris, the city council of the 13th district and Semapa chose the project led by Icade to house the university’s new centre in Paris. Overlooking the tracks of the Austerlitz station, Best of Both will include a research centre, library, auditorium, reception room and classrooms.

This 9,500-sq.m project, designed by the Franco-American architects Studio Gang and Parc Architectes, will also include a residence with around 86 low-cost ownership units as well as shops and local businesses, based on a mix of cultures from Chicago and Paris.

• 86 sale housing units – 6,065 sq.m of floor area.
• University facilities (University of Chicago) – 2,484 sq.m of floor area
• Business space – 453 sq.m of floor area
• Retail space – 477 sq.m of floor area

Labels/certifications

For housing units: BBCA (low-carbon building) label, BiodiverCity and NF Habitat HQE (living environment) certifications.

For the university: NF HQE certification for office buildings, “Excellent” rating; Bâtiment Biosourcé label (biosourced building), Level 3; LEED certification, Silver level; WELL label, Silver level.

Environment approach

Best of Both was designed using a demanding environmental approach and includes green terraces and balconies as well as hanging and rooftop gardens, which create biodiversity areas at every level of the building.