SNCF Gares & Connexions visits the Atelier

Atelier Franck Boutté welcomed thirteen project directors from SNCF Gares & Connexions from across France as part of a study tour. The visit focused on our approach to environmental design and how it translates into practical solutions across projects.

Following an introduction to this approach, our project managers shared their experience through three projects in the Paris region, ranging from the refurbishment of an existing building to the transformation of an entire district.

50 Alsace – Preparing existing buildings for the challenges of 2050

Presented by Bertrand Béthune, this refurbishment of an SNCF Immobilier building, developed with DTACC between Gare de l’Est and Gare du Nord, combines the preservation of Haussmannian heritage with adaptation to the challenges of 2050: energy performance, reduced carbon footprint, thermal and visual comfort, and quality of use.

Scope – Turning the façade into a bioclimatic asset

Presented by Florence Capoulade, this project designed with LAN, between Gare de Lyon and Gare d’Austerlitz, demonstrates the potential of the bay window as a bioclimatic device. This “climatic fold” combines environmental performance, natural daylight, quality of views and spatial efficiency, while limiting the need for solar shading.

Les Messageries District – Supporting the transformation of a former railway site

Presented by Sonia Bouafia, this project developed with Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, Tolila + Gilliland and Michel Desvigne transforms a former railway and logistics site into a mixed-use district. The Atelier brings together environmental strategy, urban planning and public realm design to help create a more resilient and liveable neighbourhood.

Three projects illustrating the diversity of responses environmental design can provide, at different scales, to the challenges of urban transformation.

Many thanks to the SNCF Gares & Connexions teams for their trust, curiosity and enthusiasm, and to our project managers for sharing their hands-on expertise.