The L’Ark Belvédère office building, designed by Cino Zucchi Architetti, marks a significant milestone in Bordeaux’s architectural renaissance. Located in the heart of the Bordeaux Belvédère district, this project exemplifies the integration of contemporary architectural innovation with a profound respect for the city’s historic urban fabric. The design reflects a thoughtful response to Bordeaux’s cultural and architectural identity, offering a forward-looking perspective while honoring the area’s heritage.
L’Ark Belvédère Office Building Technical Information
- Architects1-3: Cino Zucchi Architetti
- Location: Bordeaux, France
- Topics: Offices
- Year Completed: 2023
- Photographs: © Fabrice Fouillet
The columns in the facades varying in thickness and rhythm at irregular intervals, are arranged in seven irregular orders signed by string-course cornice. The shape of the columns accentuated by the slight undercut of the bands generates a screen that gives at the same time volume and depth to the building’s facades.
– Cino Zucchi Architects
L’Ark Belvédère Office Building Photographs
L’Ark Belvédère Office Building: A Reimagined H-Shape Scheme
Strategically situated, the building establishes a dialogue with its surroundings. Its placement on the site and adherence to the district’s masterplan underscores the architects’ commitment to creating a structure that complements and enhances its urban context.
The L’Ark Belvédère building’s architectural morphology is a standout feature. The design evolves from a large, parallelepiped mass into a refined form by folding the shorter sides inward into concave curves. This thoughtful gesture creates a dynamic H-shaped layout that balances spatial efficiency with aesthetic sophistication. The result is a structure that seamlessly bridges the boulevard on one side and the park on the other, establishing a harmonious relationship with its immediate environment.
The centralized plan further enhances this design, promoting a sense of openness and connectivity within the building’s interior. Notably, a terrace garden within the top order serves as a functional and visual anchor, offering users a serene escape while adding a striking architectural feature to the skyline.
Façade Articulation: A Play of Depth and Light
The façade of L’Ark Belvédère is a masterclass in layered design. The continuous perimeter skin, defined by alternating ribbon windows and opaque bands, is accentuated by anodized aluminum shading elements that respond dynamically to weather conditions. This interplay of light and shadow creates a visually engaging façade that changes throughout the day, lending the building a sense of vitality.
The building’s columns further enrich its architectural language. Arranged in seven irregular orders, these concrete elements vary in thickness and rhythm, creating an expressive structural screen that balances classical proportions with contemporary aesthetics. Crafted using CNC-manufactured formwork, the columns exhibit a textured finish referencing Bordeaux’s historic stone, seamlessly blending tradition with innovation.
The undercut bands at the columns’ bases and the recesses at the top levels enhance the building’s depth and volume, adding to its monumental presence. These design details reflect meticulous attention to craft, ensuring the façade remains functional and artistically compelling.
Contemporary Interpretation of Historical Elements
L’Ark Belvédère’s design pays homage to French architectural traditions while embracing a contemporary approach. The atrium columns, reminiscent of the angular trompes in classical French architecture, are reinterpreted to suit modern sensibilities. This blend of historical reference and modern execution exemplifies how the project respects its cultural context without succumbing to nostalgic mimicry.
The terrace garden and other architectural elements evoke Bordeaux’s rich heritage while pushing the boundaries of contemporary office design. This balance between past and present allows L’Ark Belvédère to stand as a timeless architectural contribution, setting a benchmark for future regional developments.
L’Ark Belvédère Office Building Plans
L’Ark Belvédère Office Building Image Gallery
About Cino Zucchi Architetti
Cino Zucchi is an Italian architect celebrated for his innovative designs seamlessly blending contemporary aesthetics with historical contexts. As the founder of Cino Zucchi Architetti, he has spearheaded numerous landmark European projects characterized by their thoughtful integration with the urban fabric and environment. Zucchi’s work often draws on local architectural traditions, reinterpreting them to create modern spaces and deeply rooted in their cultural settings. An esteemed academic and lecturer, Zucchi has contributed significantly to architectural discourse, inspiring future generations with his visionary approach.
Notes & Additional Credits
Consultants: OTEIS (Structures and MEP), PAYET (Environmental AMO), LASA (Acoustics), APAVE (Control Bureau)
Client: Nexity, Altarea Cogedim, Pitch Promotion
- Visuals: MVOA, La Fabrique à Perspectives (Renderings)
