The Zodiaque complex in Courbevoie is a fine ensemble of buildings. A Modernist piece, it is, evidently, an example of a great period of architecture, featuring the conceptual components of the époque in that it is constructed on a freestandingplatform which is not aligned with the street. But this strange project – a kind of “Unidentified Urban Object” – is more than that. Designed by Henry Pottier, users appreciate its carefully thought out relationship with the environment, evidenced by its multiple liaisons between various neighbourhoods. It is also a kind of prefiguration of a model of a mixed use urban approach in that it includes a swimming pool, a skating rink, shops, a car park, offices, a hotel, residential units and a crèche. Lastly, well designed and well built, it is remarkable from an architectural point of view.

The project gives us the opportunity to build an extension to the complex. Our intention is to bring the Zodiaque closer to the surrounding streets by juxtaposing a series of light, wooden constructions that mount an assault on this concrete mastodon… In all directions, existing links with the surrounding buildings are emphasized, while the shopping centre’s interior plan is considerably simplified. Indeed, everything about the project seems simple, even though it is enormously complex…