How about we discover a road that whispers tales of forestry innovation? This is Avenue Forestière. It is not just a street in Champs-sur-Marne. It is an idea rooted in wood.
Avenue Forestière bears its name for good reason. It echoes France’s deep connection to its forests and commitment to sustainable practices. The avenue’s story is tied to the Office National des Forêts or ONF. ONF moved its headquarters to a building that embodies the spirit of the forest.
Imagine a structure designed like a tree. This was erected in Maisons-Alfort. It is an immersive experience that celebrates wood. For 30 years, the ONF resided near Place de la Nation. Their former headquarters, the “ONF tower” on Avenue Saint-Mandé, became restrictive. Its concrete core hindered the institution’s work methods.
The ONF expanded into a Montreuil building. This created further operational challenges. Staff constantly shuttled between the two sites. Telecommuting started in 2017. Yet, the need to consolidate all employees remained. The chosen location was near Alfort National Veterinary School.
The school sought to enhance its land and open its park to the public. It offered ONF a 70-year lease. The 7,600 square meter building would house 365 employees. It would include the ONF’s general management and its subsidiaries.
The architects opted for wood and openness. This contrasted sharply with the concrete tower near Place de la Nation. The building’s design features a city-facing facade and a park-facing facade. This creates an internal dialogue between the two wings.
The street side presents a monolithic structure. It aligns with the existing wall in an ordered rhythm. This extends to the future park’s pedestrian access. The park side transforms into a series of terraces. This part known as the “ONF house” accommodates collective spaces.
These spaces promote a more progressive work environment. This dichotomy influences the construction. Traditional post-and-beam becomes a contemporary structure. It draws inspiration from metal frameworks.
The building uses French wood. This requirement meant sourcing materials from ONF-managed forests. The wood showcases the diversity of French tree species. Spruce and pine form the structure. Beech is used for interior woodwork. Oak and aluminum combine for exterior woodwork. Oak also features in the floors and stairs.
The building’s structure has two distinct zones. Zone A is traditional. It features a post-and-beam structure with ribbed floors. Zone B is the “ONF house”. The floors rest on metal beams.
The interior street evokes a forest path. Columns resemble tree trunks. Lattice beams suggest branches. The ceiling symbolizes foliage with suspended wood pieces. Unlike the former tower, this street facilitates interactions. Offices on the street side are conventional. The “ONF house” offers a unique open space. This has multiple paths connecting to the interior street.
The ONF headquarters exemplifies sustainability. Solar panels provide electricity. The design minimizes energy consumption. The building aims for high energy efficiency.
Avenue Forestière’s significance lies in its connection to the ONF headquarters. This celebrates French forests. It promotes sustainable building practices. The avenue serves as a reminder of the importance of forestry. It underscores innovation in architecture.