Bernard Tschumi Architects has won one of the largest university commissions in France. The Paris and New York-based firm will be designing and building a €283 million ($350 million) state-of-the-art education and research center at the Universite Paris-Sud in Saclay. Spread over 88,000 square meters, the “Metro Center” will host 4,500 people including students and staff, which will position the Universite Paris-Sud as France’s largest research and education complex. The new building addition will form part of the university’s pharmacy, biology, and chemistry wing featuring six sections connected by flying bridges and housing research labs, teaching facilities, offices, logistic areas, and restaurants.According to the architects, these six separate but interlinked buildings will form “an interior street, a common denominator, and a social space for the whole complex.” The glazed north-facing facade reveals the heart of the complex — the social spaces, a small museum, auditoria, administration, and research facilities. The connecting bridges are also glazed to make the most of the soft natural light. Research and teaching facilities will be housed behind the east and west facades featuring white precast concrete panels with fins.Bernard Tschumi Architects won the competition against participants like Herzog & De Meuron and MVRDV. The firm will collaborate with Bouygues Construction, Groupe-6, and BE for the project’s realization and operation. The scheme is expected to be completed in April 2022, allowing for 12 months of design development, and 36 months of construction, noted ArchDaily. http://www.blouinartinfo.comFounder: Louise Blouin   Read more