the Atmospheric Research Observatory center (SIRTA) // R architecture
Text description provided by the architects.
The concentric organization of the architectural program resolves the operating constraints and offers a punctuation in the landscape of the Saclay campus located on the site of the Ecole Polytechnique.
To reveal the new identity of the observatory, we have implemented a real device supporting scientific research.
The choice of concrete was essential for a technical, solid and durable building.
Its mechanical and plastic properties made it possible to cast a curved facade in one piece.
In the background, the locksmiths of the curtain walls and perfectly curved guardrails bring finesse and precision to a composition regulated as a clockwork.
The architectural features such as the pierced central dome or the galleries – interior and exterior – imbues the whole program with an optimal functionality and a peaceful atmosphere, conducive to the work of researchers in a unique observatory for monitoring the impact of the city’s activities on air quality.
the Atmospheric Research Observatory center (SIRTA) Gallery