ESPCI web site
Created in 1882 by the City of Paris, enlarged in the 1930s and again in the 1990s, ESPCI’s historical location called for a complete remodel. The City of Paris decided to invest 176 million euros in this unprecedented project.
Spurred on by the City of Paris, ESPCI began a large development project for teaching and research facilities slated for completion in 2023. The school’s objective is to become the international reference for research and training centers in the fields of science, technology and innovation.
Architect Anne Démians, winner of the international competition spearheaded by the City of Paris, proposed a design in which new construction does not alter the school’s historical spirit. The goal is to modernize the school by tearing down the succession of buildings juxtaposed and superimposed over the years since its foundation in 1882. The City of Paris’ 176 million investment will give the school a campus worthy of its scientific excellence.
Historic restructuring
The days of multiple small buildings are over: the structure’s identity will be asserted through an injection of coherence and homogeneity. Adapted to ESPCI’s unique educational model, this project is the opportunity to give it new scope. This idea lies at the very core of the restructuring: revive the school’s attractiveness while preserving the existing building’s historic and unusual character. To this end, the beautiful street-facing Art Deco facade will be preserved. The vertical enlargement and the flooring will be demolished and the buildings enlarged. They will accommodate areas for innovative research, teaching zones and amphitheaters. A central hub will connect the different spaces to facilitate exchanges between all ESPCI users (teachers, researchers, students, visitors…).
An open parisian campus…
The new building will be even better connected and open to neighboring PSL members located on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève. The remodeling project is based on restructuring the site following a spiral configuration, moving from the exterior towards the center of the building cluster. The building works will enable transfer of the entrance to Place Alfred Kastler, ensuring an even greater connection with the city.
…And the cutting edge of modernity
Designed with the needs of researchers and student-engineers in mind, the structure is intended to evolve with and adapt to science and teaching. Increasing from 29,000 m2 to 34,500 m2 (of which 25,000 m2 are dedicated to research laboratories and 3,800 m2 to teaching facilities), the surface area allotted to ESPCI will be modernized.