A new radiant ecosystem with exemplary environmental performance.
The dazzling metamorphosis of a Parisian building into the office of the future
Reinventing the Parisian workspace
This new 31,000 m2 rehabilitation project, named Mondo, has been under construction since January 2022 and is expected to open its doors in September 2024. The entire project aims to transform an aging site into a new attractive Parisian address, combining modernity and respect for architectural heritage. Located at the intersection of two architectural eras, the Mondo project harmoniously merges a 1925 building, the Banville, located on Rue Pierre Demours, with a more recent 1961 structure on Rue de Courcelles. This ambitious rehabilitation embodies the vision of a workspace of the future, adapted to contemporary requirements while preserving the historical essence of the place.
Innovation and sustainability in the service of well-being
An emblematic project for major players
Designed on behalf of Gecina, a leader in office real estate in Europe, the Mondo project is set to welcome Publicis Groupe, the world's third-largest communication group. This collaboration between leading players testifies to the exceptional scope and quality of the project. Mondo is set to become one of the architectural references of the Bechu & Associés agency, illustrating their expertise in urban rehabilitation and architectural innovation. The project embodies a forward-looking vision of workspace, combining aesthetics, functionality and sustainability, and stands as a model for future real estate developments in the French capital.

With Mondo, we are not simply rehabilitating a building, we are creating a living ecosystem in the heart of Paris. This project embodies our vision of a workplace of the future, where nature, innovation and well-being combine to offer a unique and sustainable professional experience.

How does the metamorphosis of Banville into Mondo play an essential role in the future of the project?
Extended over 8 levels in superstructure and 5 levels in infrastructure, the "BANVILLE" in becoming "MONDO" will revive a prestigious address on Rue de Courcelles and participate in the reintegration of nature into the city. Thus, it is this nature and its ecosystem that guide the agency's gesture with architectural work that is born from the interior of the building for a rebirth that will reopen it to the city, ensuring new functions, transparency and synergies. Therefore, bringing light into this large complex and developing plays of transparency are the fundamental challenges of this project.
The current real estate complex being tired and very heterogeneous with its used office floors at different altimetries and atypical configurations, a partial demolition of the existing is a necessary prerequisite for its metamorphosis. Subsequently, a central atrium will be present within the project, creating an island of light fed by the zenith opening. A radiant light reflector will revive each interior space of this building. The facades of the atrium appear as a resonance from the inside to the outside, affirming to the city the new identity of the building. This project improves the penetration of natural light into the building thanks to its large glazed surfaces where light transmissions are over 80%.
Within this luminous block, meeting and sharing places (terrace platforms) are placed on footbridges, like bird nests on branches. These "branch-footbridges" connect the different areas of the same floor on both sides of the atrium. They offer multiple perspectives conducive to well-being, ensure functional connections between the different floors, allowing its occupants to find their autonomy and connect them to a whole. Water cascades, as well as panoramic glass elevators will cross the atrium and ensure functional mobility within the building. The ambition of the project is to bring the city and its multiple amenities into this office building through the development of third places that facilitate the link between private and professional life. The interior street of the building, shortened to gain square meters, defines the positioning of these third places. There will be a cafeteria also open to the public, a concierge service and a reception area.
What is the place of nature in this new rehabilitation project?

In the Mondo rehabilitation project, nature occupies a central and strategic place, contributing to transform an aging urban site into a modern and sustainable oasis in the heart of the city. More than just an aesthetic consideration, the integration of nature into every aspect of the project aims to create a harmonious work and living environment, conducive to the well-being of occupants and the preservation of urban biodiversity. Vegetation is omnipresent in the architectural design. From vegetated loggias to hanging gardens and verdant terraces, each space is designed to offer immersion in nature, even at the heart of this rehabilitation. This profusion of greenery creates islands of freshness and calm, while contributing to improve air quality and regulate the building's internal temperatures. Moreover, the project integrates innovative initiatives such as urban agriculture, with the creation of an urban agriculture greenhouse and the development of participatory cultivated spaces. This approach goes beyond simple landscape aesthetics, it encourages occupants' interaction with their environment, promotes awareness of nature and sustainable food, and strengthens the link between the city and its inhabitants.
This new rehabilitation emphasizes the preservation and enhancement of existing natural resources. The reuse and recycling of materials, as well as the conservation of pre-existing urban beehives and green spaces, testify to the project's commitment to sustainability and the preservation of the urban ecosystem. The strong presence of vegetation is also an improvement factor compared to neighboring buildings, especially those located on Rue Pierre Demours, which is very narrow. The vegetated pockets will form as many settings of climbing vegetation as they will form hanging gardens. In this project, nature is not just a decorative element, but it is also integrated into the functional design of the building. The common courtyards with neighboring residential buildings promote social interactions and create outdoor conviviality spaces. Similarly, the footbridges and meeting spaces at different levels of the building offer unique perspectives on the surrounding nature, thus encouraging the well-being of its occupants.
In order to contribute to the greenness of a neighborhood and the preservation of the city's biodiversity, while providing a sense of nature to its occupants, several challenges have been worked on and implemented within the project with the aim of meeting these objectives:
- Develop a landscaped promenade from S-1 to R+7 terraces through contrasting atmospheres.Offer vegetated spaces that generate well-being by appealing to the five senses. Wild and edible plants will be planted to promote biodiversity and invite users to appropriate the landscape.
- Offer a participatory landscape through a multiplication of space uses: relaxation, co-working, solarium, events, contemplation, tasting, workshops, animations and many others.
- Raise awareness among occupants about urban agriculture through convivial and participatory cultivated spaces.
The place of nature in the Mondo project goes far beyond simple decoration. It constitutes a fundamental pillar of the design, contributing to create a healthy work and living environment, in harmony with its urban context. The inspirations are multiple, from the Ile-de-France undergrowth for the full-earth patios to the sunny meadows for the terraces.

What are the innovative technologies integrated into the Mondo project to promote sustainability and energy efficiency?
The Mondo project integrates various innovative technologies aimed at promoting sustainability and energy efficiency, thus aligning with the highest environmental standards.

Among these innovations, we find notably lightweight structure buildings, the implementation of greenhouses with wood/metal structures, rooftop extensions built using dry construction methods, the use of photovoltaic panels, and LED lighting present in almost the entire building. Lightweight structure buildings allow for a significant reduction in the amount of materials used, which reduces the overall carbon footprint of the project while offering a solid and durable structure. This approach also promotes architectural flexibility and ease of material reuse in the future. Furthermore, the greenhouses with wood/metal structures represent a major innovation in the project design. Not only do they provide an environment conducive to plant growth and food production through urban agriculture, but they also contribute to energy efficiency by using sustainable materials and promoting thermal insulation.
More articlesMore articlesRooftop extensions, built using dry construction methods, allow for vertical expansion of the project without requiring heavy work. This reduces site disturbances and promotes faster and less intrusive construction, while maintaining a minimal carbon footprint. In addition, a rainwater harvesting system has been put in place to water plants and use for toilets. Furthermore, the use of photovoltaic panels on the building's roofs allows for the generation of clean electricity from solar energy, thus contributing to reducing dependence on traditional energy sources and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, LED lighting is widely used throughout the project for its low energy consumption and long lifespan. This technology not only reduces electricity consumption, but also creates bright and welcoming spaces for building occupants. By combining these various innovative technologies, the Mondo project demonstrates its commitment to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, while offering a modern and comfortable work environment for its users. These combinations also justify Mondo's distinction by its exceptional energy performance, including the HQE Reference 2016 Excellent, Leed Gold, Well Gold, Biodiversity and Wirescore Gold labels.

What are the initiatives for reusing and recycling existing materials in the Mondo project?
The initiatives for reusing and recycling existing materials in the Mondo project demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability and resource preservation. The agency has implemented several innovative strategies to valorize existing materials in order to reduce construction waste and preserve the heritage character of the site. The reuse of existing soil and plants in the creation of new green spaces constitutes an ecological and economical approach. Rather than eliminating these elements, they are harmoniously integrated into the new landscaping, thus preserving part of the site's history and identity. Moreover, the reconversion of Giallodoratto facade stone and Brèche Nouvelle stone in new common spaces, such as halls and walls, testifies to a desire to preserve the aesthetics and authenticity of the building while giving it a second life. These materials are subsequently reintroduced into the project in a creative way, adding a historical and aesthetic dimension to the renovated environment. Furthermore, the reuse of various furniture elements present in the existing building, such as the black stone fountain, the metal of light fixtures, or doors, illustrates an approach of recovery and valorization of resources. Rather than replacing them, these elements are rehabilitated and reintegrated into the new design, thus contributing to reducing waste and the environmental footprint of the project.
This new program also considers the possibility of donating or reselling existing furniture, which would extend their lifespan and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. In addition, the use of finishing materials that meet VOC and Formaldehyde standards helps improve indoor air quality. By combining these various reuse and recycling initiatives, the Mondo project demonstrates a holistic approach to sustainability, where resource preservation and heritage enhancement go hand in hand with the transformation and modernization of the site.
How does the project contribute to the preservation and enrichment of biodiversity in the city and on the site?

The Mondo project takes significant measures to preserve and promote biodiversity in the urban environment. Various initiatives are implemented to create a favorable environment contributing to the ecological balance of the urban area. The project wanted to develop within its program a 200 m2 agricultural greenhouse offering a space conducive to the diversity of plant species present on the site. These specific arrangements are made to favor wild pollinators, such as bees, essential for plant reproduction and biodiversity maintenance.
The conservation of existing beehives allows to raise awareness among occupants about urban agriculture through cultivated and participatory spaces. This new program promotes the planting of native vegetation in order to take into account and support the protection of the ecosystem. Moreover, the Mondo project includes the implementation of large 1400 m2 flat roofs compatible with urban agriculture. In addition, the greening of roofs contributes to increasing the ecological potential of the site. Vegetation systems with drainage layers, filters and substrates are put in place to reinforce the approach to biodiversity within the project. The creation of four vegetated patios helps to reinforce the feeling of nature within the project, offering green spaces conducive to relaxation and contemplation. These developments contribute to harmonizing the urban fabric by integrating nature at the heart of the environment being built. By combining these different initiatives, the Mondo project demonstrates its commitment to preserving and enriching biodiversity in the city. These approaches create a sustainable, resilient and pleasant urban environment for all its occupants.
