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An environmental antidote to La Défense referenced by CEEBIOS

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Biomimetic jewel revolutionizing the skyline of La Défense

Biomimetic innovation at La Défense

Completed in 2014 and located in the heart of La Défense, at 17 bis Place des Reflets in Courbevoie, the iconic D2 tower stands as one of the most remarkable achievements of the Bechu & Associates agency. This bold project, the result of a collaboration between Sogecap, Sogeprom (Société Générale's life insurance company) and Bouygues Immobilier, now embodies one of the most striking symbols of the business district's renewal. With its 37 floors rising over 170 meters, the D2 Tower is not just a simple skyscraper; it represents a true architectural and environmental revolution in the heart of one of the most important European business centers.

Sustainable technology, optimal comfort assured

This large-scale urban project has developed a dynamic connection between the Esplanade de la Défense and the neighboring district of Courbevoie, thus transforming the urban landscape and breathing new vitality into the area. The D2 Tower plays a crucial role in the metamorphosis of the circular boulevard, making it more human and accessible. Its two-level lobby creates an organic link between the Esplanade and the boulevard, promoting fluid circulation and harmonious interaction between different urban spaces. This innovative approach actively participates in creating a more friendly and dynamic urban environment, where the boundary between work space and living space blurs.

Vertical urban ecosystem, integrated nature

The D2 Tower stands out for its avant-garde biomimetic approach, inspired by the forms and functionalities of the natural world. Its unique ovoid structure, supported by a steel exo-structure reminiscent of bone periosteum, not only allows for remarkable space optimization but also a significant 30% reduction in material compared to a conventional tower. This technical and ecological feat is crowned by the Cloud Garden, a 500 m² green space located at the top of the tower, offering a breathtaking view of the capital at 170 meters altitude. These innovations, combined with the use of cutting-edge technologies in terms of energy efficiency and occupant comfort, make the D2 Tower a true model of sustainable and responsible architecture, paving the way for a new generation of ecological skyscrapers in the heart of modern metropolises.
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Creating a living link between the Esplanade de la Défense and the neighboring district of Courbevoie, the D2 tower stands on the circular boulevard, which it helps transform into an urban and human boulevard by unrolling its long planted and animated promenade like an effervescent ribbon. Resolutely efficient, exemplary in its environmental strategy, the building benefits from a double HQE certification for tertiary buildings and BREEAM environmental profile.

Anthony Bechu|Founding President
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What are the assets of the D2 project that make its program a guaranteed differentiation?

The D2 Tower embodies the advent of a new generation of architectural constructions, integrating innovative concepts and cutting-edge technologies to offer an exceptional work environment. Built over 170 meters high, or 37 floors, its ambitious program aims to create a modern, functional and sustainable office space, responding to the changing needs of businesses while bringing an environmental dimension. In the continuity of a sustainable quest, we will find at the heart of this project a biomimetic approach, inspired by the forms and functionalities of the natural world. The D2 Tower thus adopts an ovoid shape that optimizes the use of space and promotes better energy efficiency. This innovative design not only maximizes the usable area of office spaces, but also reduces energy losses and improves the comfort of its occupants.

Energy performance is a central pillar of the D2 Tower. It incorporates advanced technologies such as the use of urban heating and cooling networks, double-flow ventilation systems and optimized glazing for maximum natural lighting. These solutions significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, while ensuring a healthy and comfortable indoor environment for its occupants. In its pursuit of environmental excellence, the D2 Tower aims to obtain several prestigious certifications, notably HQE and BREEAM certifications. These labels attest to its commitment to sustainability and environmental performance, while enhancing its attractiveness to companies concerned about their ecological footprint.

Beyond its energy performance, the D2 Tower emphasizes the comfort and well-being of its occupants. Advanced technologies such as dimmable artificial lighting, presence detectors and high-performance fan coil units are integrated to create a pleasant and productive work environment. This architectural project represents much more than a simple office building. It embodies the emergence of a new era in urban construction, where innovation, sustainability and occupant comfort converge to create a pleasant and dynamic workplace.


How is the D2 Tower considered a "new generation" construction?

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The D2 Tower is considered a new generation construction for several important reasons that testify to its innovative character and its advances compared to previous construction standards. Built on a low environmental impact site, its architectural design pushes traditional boundaries maximizing its energy and functional efficiency. Indeed, its innovative architecture pushes the limits of traditional constructions by adopting an ovoid shape that optimizes the use of space and promotes better energy efficiency. This bold design reflects an avant-garde approach that transcends architectural conventions. Inspired by biomimicry, this architectural approach optimizes the compactness of the tower, thus reducing energy losses and improving its overall thermal performance. Built from a concrete core and infrastructure, the tower offers, through the use of a steel exo-structure instead of a classic concrete structure, increased design flexibility while reducing the building's ecological footprint.

The D2 Tower also integrates cutting-edge sustainable construction technologies and practices to meet contemporary challenges in terms of sustainability and environmental performance. These initiatives make it an example of environmentally friendly urban development. Demanding certifications allow it to guarantee its commitment to high environmental quality and sustainable development. Its energy performance level far exceeds regulatory requirements, thanks to strategies such as the use of urban heating and cooling, but also the optimization of glazing for maximum natural lighting and the use of high-performance fan coil units. D2 also incorporates innovative features to ensure the comfort and well-being of occupants, such as double-flow ventilation for better indoor air quality, dimmable artificial lighting systems and green roof spaces to offer its occupants relaxation and conviviality areas. Indeed, its inhabited and accessible cap, the first of its kind in La Défense, houses the Cloud Garden, an open-air garden of 500 m² that culminates at 170 meters altitude. Its architectural composition makes it an inhabited tree.

This skyscraper is now considered a new generation construction due to its innovative approach to architectural design. Its implementation of advanced sustainable technologies and its commitment to the comfort and well-being of occupants allows it to advance construction standards for the buildings of tomorrow.

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How did biomimicry play an essential role in the design of the tower's architectural body?

Biomimicry played a crucial role in the construction of the D2 Tower.

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Inspired by efficient forms and structures observed in nature, this tower embodies a harmonious fusion between architectural design and biological principles. From its conception, the choice of a quasi-optimal form of the D2 Tower in terms of compactness was determined by elements of formal efficiency observed in the surrounding nature. With an original ovoid-shaped structure and a central core surrounding the office floors on the periphery, this arrangement allowed for the deployment of an innovative structural design. Rather than opting for conventional concrete construction, it relies on a steel exo-structure. Inspired by bones and plant ramifications, this architectural proposition offers remarkable flexibility to the project and allows for highly prefabricated construction. The meshes of this structure, composed of vertical diamonds, have been optimized to reduce heat loss and thus improve the energy performance efficiency of the building. Moreover, this structural form has allowed for savings of nearly 30% in facade surface compared to the construction of a classic tower. Thus, the overall thermal performance of the building is greatly improved and follows the desire to construct a sustainable building.

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Moreover, the internal organization of the tower is inspired by the functioning of trees. With a central core representing the trunk and office floors on the periphery representing the primary branches, this arrangement recalls the natural organization of trees. The cladding of its exo-structure in steel mesh gives the tower an organic appearance, evoking foliage. This biomimetic approach creates a visual link between the building and its environment, contributing to a harmonious integration into the urban landscape. Today, the D2 Tower leverages biomimetic principles to create modern, functional and sustainable spaces for offices. By drawing inspiration from nature for its forms and structure, it embodies an innovative approach to architectural design, while reducing its carbon footprint and offering an optimal work environment for its occupants.

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What are the design strengths that allowed the construction of this iconic tower?

The D2 tower stands out for several design strengths that allowed the construction of this iconic structure. Its energy performance level far exceeds regulatory standards, with consumption 30% lower than the reference consumption prescribed by RT2005, which allows it to obtain the BBC RT2005 label by equivalence. The positive control of energy within the building ensures optimal hygrothermal comfort. The design of the D2 tower in La Défense is based on innovative architectural foundations and bold design choices, which allowed the construction of a dominant tower in the La Défense district. The various biological inspirations led to a fractal structure, where repetitive geometric shapes intertwine at all scales, thus creating a unique and coherent aesthetic.

This project strongly distinguishes itself by its commitment to sustainable development. Its steel and concrete exo-structure allows for significant material savings compared to conventional towers, thus reducing its carbon footprint. Moreover, its double BREEAM and HQE certifications attest to its compliance with the strictest environmental standards. D2 is not only a remarkable architectural element, it is also designed to be in symbiosis with its environment. Its elliptical shape and organic curves are inspired by nature, offering a modern and dynamic aesthetic that blends harmoniously into the La Défense skyline. D2 also stands out for its response to the needs and aspirations of contemporary society. Designed to be much more than just a workplace or residence, the tower integrates community living spaces and state-of-the-art facilities that promote user well-being. Initiatives such as the Cloud Garden, offering a breathtaking view of the city and relaxation spaces, demonstrate the designers' commitment to the quality of life of occupants.

The sustainable urban planning approach promotes connectivity and social inclusion. With its high and low entrances, it aims to create a fluid circulation between different neighborhoods and promote interactions between the inhabitants of La Défense and the neighboring city of Courbevoie. Its simple and quick access to various public transports guarantees its harmonious integration into its urban environment. The creation of an arcade gallery and a brasserie open to the public also contributes to energizing the urban space and strengthening the link between the tower and its surrounding community. Moreover, its location favors a direct connection from the circular boulevard and plays a positive role in its integration into its external environment. These various design choices, combined with rigorous site monitoring and the use of materials validated for their environmental performance, make the D2 tower an example of new generation construction, combining aesthetics, functionality and sustainability. The D2 tower embodies architectural and environmental excellence, while offering an immersive and comfortable urban experience. Its innovative design and unique features make it a symbol of modernity and sustainability in the urban landscape of La Défense.


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