Robert A. M. Stern to design green office tower at La Defense, Paris. The French insurance company, Aviva, announced today that it has selected Robert A.M. Stern Architects to design a new environmentally responsible office tower at La Defense outside of Paris. The 35-storey, 45,000 square meter building dubbed Tour Carpe Diem aspires to be “an important step forward in the evolution of La Defense toward pedestrian-friendly urbanism and environmentally responsible architecture”. When complete, the building will connect the raised esplanade - the “dalle” that continues the axis of the Champs-Elysees- and the urban fabric of the city of Courbevoie to the north.

Tour Carpe Diem will significantly exceed French regulations for environmentally responsible development. The building will have a triple glazed curtain wall with integrated sunshades that respond to the solar orientation of each façade and innovative grilles that provide natural ventilation to reduce air conditioning loads. Additional sustainable design strategies include solar water heating, a heat recovery system and high performance lighting.

Stern bested Jacques Ferrier Architect (Paris) and Foster + Partners (London) in a three-way competition. SRA Architects of Chatillon, France, will serve as associate architect for the project.