Bridging Paris and Charenton for a connected district

Located on the eastern edge of Paris, the Charenton-Bercy district is one of the key sites that make up the Grand Paris development plan for the wider metropolis. In 2018, SOM led the initial master plan competition to transform Charenton-Bercy into a highly connected urban district.

The development has a highly sustainable agenda: a third of the site is reserved for green space, while a further third will be occupied by buildings with green roofs. A landscaped garden bridge will cross above active rail lines to connect the district to the city’s largest public park, the Bois de Vincennes. The streetscape design and architecture extend the greenery of the park throughout the new district, culminating in a signature tower with extensive planted terraces. 

Surrounding the mixed-use tower, a series of low-rise buildings will form a walkable, mixed-use community, harmonious in scale with the adjacent urban areas. The district will include a new primary school, a fitness center, and a network of outdoor public spaces.

A signature tower, an emblem for green urbanism

Designed and engineered by SOM, the 210-meter-tall tower introduces a model for high-rise living in harmony with nature. Every apartment features landscaped balconies, a strategy that brings multiple benefits: enhancing quality of life, reducing the heat island effect, and supporting biodiversity. In addition to the private balconies, a mid-level terrace provides a shared amenity for building residents, contributing to a sense of community within the building. A rooftop terrace and restaurant, open to the public, makes the tower’s panoramic views available to all.

The apartments feature airy, open layouts, designed to maximize daylight and views. A sophisticated facade design with an integrated shading system enhances comfort and reduces operational energy use. Even from a distance, the landscaped balconies give the tower a strong identity as an emblem of sustainable urbanism.

Timber construction advances the city’s sustainability goals

Adjacent to the tower, a nine-story office building is designed with a hybrid timber system that significantly reduces embodied carbon in construction. Aligned with French government policy to expand the use of timber and renewable materials in construction, the building demonstrates the viability of structural timber for the commercial office market. The structure of the building is all timber, while the facade is composed of cross-laminated timber panels. The building will rise on a platform built above the active railyards, making it the largest timber overbuild project in Europe. Much like the mixed-use tower, the design extends greenery inside the building: it features double-height landscaped terraces on every other floor, and a central garden courtyard that provides an amenity for office tenants.