A shimmering tower with a view: How Studio Gang reimagined the Montparnasse Tower

Out of seven semi-finalist firms, Studio Gang was one of two finalists in the Montparnasse Tower competition, which sought a new design scheme to revamp the current — and strongly detested — 58-story tower in Paris. Last week, Nouvelle AOM won the competition while Studio Gang won second place. Their proposal re-imagined the monolithic tower as a shimmering, transparent new landmark with expanded functionality.

Studio Gang led a consortium that included local architecture practice Chabanne et Partenaires, structural and façade engineer Terrell Group, façade engineer Hugh Dutton Associates, and other expert consultants from Paris and around the world.

Studio Gang's proposal reimagines the tower with a shimmering faceted facade and various uses and amenities, including new public spaces for dining, shopping, and socializing. The tower's sustainability systems would reduce the building's current energy consumption by 89 percent.

With the tower's base, which is currently an uninviting and windy plaza, Studio Gang added gardens and pedestrian-friendly spaces that bring much-needed daylight and greenery into the building, blurring the boundaries between inside and outside. 

“Our project....eliminate[s] the current negative impacts of wind around the base of the tower. The rounded floor plan shape gives the building flexibility to accommodate new and varied uses in the future, while the façade’s bay windows create a texture that ameliorates windiness on the Place Raoul-Dautry,” Jeanne Gang describes.

The scheme also includes 50 floors of work space, a co-working hub, conference center, an observatory with an indoor garden, restaurants with terraces, cafes, a hotel, retail, and a gym. 

“On the interior, the bay windows have the added benefit of creating more than 1000 ‘belvederes’ that give great views not just to executives, but to everyone who works in the tower,” Jeanne Gang says.

The facets of the façade form bay windows that create generous, flexible workspaces and gathering spaces that are filled with natural daylight and offer views of Paris.

The top of the building features a glass pavilion observatory that shows off 360-degree views. Supported by a steel corolla structure, the pavilion includes a garden and a théâtre de verdure for hosting various events.

All seven competition semi-finalist designs are currently on display at the Pavilion de l’Arsenal in Paris until October 22.