A prize-winner at the MIPIM Awards 2008 in Cannes, in the “Business Centre” category, this new building covering almost 25,000m˛ has rounded off a consistent urban plan within the city. Its location links Strasbourg’s European quarter with residential areas and the countryside adjoining buildings occupied by European officials. With its large glass frontage opening onto the city, its majestic look is highlighted by a metal canopy harmoniously integrating its technical elements. The building is also made up of three branches enclosing two patios running into garden areas. Apart from the 14,000m˛ of office space, the building has 8500m˛ of shared usage areas. A naturally-shaped crčche is housed in the garden, providing an additional service to the building’s occupants.

The atriums help with connecting the office space and the many conference rooms in the hear t of the building. The atriums’ partitioned rooms covered in prepatina copper give off a sense of the solid foundations of the institution. As well as their user-friendly design, the atriums act as buffer zones between the outside and the office space. The conference halls benefit from natural light diffused from the atrium.
The structural principle of the pre-stressed slabs from one end to the other provides spaces free of any intermediate columns or cross beams. Aside from the exceptional flexibility of the space, this enables any long-term changes to be made without heavy work, in the spirit of sustainable development. The building was designed to be capable of extension along several wings or stories. Its mixed ventilation system (natural and double flow ventilation) takes into account the continental climate enjoyed b y Strasbourg. The Council of Europe has sought to highlight the environmental aspect, opting for both integration into the landscape and energy saving measures. The green aspect appears to have been a decisive factor in winning the MIPIM Award, given that this project was up against two other major buildings: the R&F Center tower in Guangzhou, by Aedas, and the Midtown tower in Tokyo, by SOM.