The Lacassagne telephone exchange is an emblematic building in the Part-Dieu district of Lyon. Built in 1972 by André Gutton, architect of public buildings and national monuments since the 1930s, it is part of the Orange group’s technical heritage. The operation to unite the regional staff of central–eastern France plans for the accommodation of 2,000 people on this unifying site. The project by practices Hardel Le Bihan Architects and HGA-Hubert Godet Architects positions this remarkable building at the centre of the new Orange Campus, functioning efficiently to connect the three buildings (the existing exchange with its two new extensions) and opening up views from and towards each of these for maximum transparency with the city and to maximise light. From an urban point of view, the project complies with plans for the urban renewal of the Part-Dieu district established by the AUC, respecting the original building. Positioned on the south-western edge of the district and seen from the train tracks and the wider landscape, the development forms a powerful landmark as a mark of this renewal.
The Lacassagne exchange naturally orchestrates the corner plot, freeing up two open spaces to the north and the south. The extension, composed of two buildings, is inserted, highlighting the urban alignments and unifying the site. The three entities are linked by the agora, a broad internal street run- ning across, through the ground floor of the exchange. Footbridges provide links between the upper floors. “More than just circulation, the agora is a place for life, for exchange and socialising. Its 7m ceiling height makes it possible to install events spaces for public receptions. A showroom, an auditorium, but also several meeting rooms, the cafeteria, the concierge, all of these spaces are visually connected with the garden on the ground floor.”explains Elodie Vuarchet (HGA). “The more work methods turn to digital and digital connectivity, the more people need quality physical interactions. This is why we have given so much importance to the spaces used every day by the workers around and beyond their workstations.” adds Cyrille Le Bihan (Hardel Le Bihan Architectes).