Virtuose: A Sustainable Revival of Haussmannian Heritage by PDA Architecture

Location: 29B-31 Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie, 75116 Paris, France
Area: 6,548 sqm
Year: 2025
Photography: Florian Wattier
Client: Pimco Prime Real Estate & Alamo
General Contractor: Demathieu Bard (Domez)
Sustainability Certifications: BREEAM, SmartScore Gold, CRREM, BBCA

A Harmonious Blend of History and Modernity

PDA Architecture’s Virtuose project breathes new life into a 1901 Haussmannian building in Paris’s 16th arrondissement, masterfully balancing heritage preservation with cutting-edge office functionality. Originally a residential structure, the building had undergone fragmented conversions over decades, diluting its architectural integrity. The 2025 renovation reclaims its spatial unity while integrating biophilic design, adaptive reuse strategies, and state-of-the-art sustainability features a testament to circular economy principles in urban development.

Research-Driven Restoration

The team’s meticulous archival research analyzing historical blueprints, permits, and photographs informed decisions on which elements to preserve (like original façades) and which to reimagine. This approach ensured the building’s soul remained intact while meeting modern workplace demands, such as:

• Multi-Purpose Basement: Transformed into a light-filled agora with a glass roof for events.
• Vertical Circulation: Reconfigured to align with the original structural grid, enhancing flow.
• Flexible Interiors: Modular workspaces with sound-absorbing materials and hybrid zones.

Sustainability at the Core

The project’s eco-conscious ethos shines through:

• Bioclimatic Canopy: Regulates temperature and reduces solar gain.
• Vegetated Courtyard: Enhances biodiversity and passive cooling.
• Technical Upgrades: High-efficiency HVAC, smart energy systems, and CRREM-aligned carbon reduction.

A Model for Adaptive Reuse

Virtuose sets a benchmark for retrofitting heritage buildings, proving that sustainability and history can coexist. Its rooftop gardens, terraces, and dynamic lighting celebrate occupant well-being, while BREEAM and SmartScore Gold certifications underscore its future-ready design.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Virtuose project exemplifies how deep historical reverence can merge with avant-garde sustainability, transforming a fragmented Haussmannian relic into a cohesive, future-proof workspace. While the emphasis on biophilic elements and flexibility is commendable, the narrative could delve deeper into the challenges of retrofitting century-old structures—such as reconciling modern insulation with heritage façades—to offer practitioners actionable insights. Nonetheless, the project’s success lies in its holistic vision: it doesn’t just preserve the past but redefines it for tomorrow’s urban landscape, proving that the greenest building is often the one already standing.

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