Grimshaw designs La Defense station in Paris

Image: CGI courtesy of Grimshaw

Grimshaw has been appointed to design La Défense station on the western section of line 15 of the Grand Paris Express network. Led by its Paris studio Grimshaw is part of the IntenCités15* consortium led by VINCI Construction Grands Projets which is leading the first design-build contract for line 15 (western section) of the Grand Paris Express. The project is Grimshaw’s first transport-led project in France.

The new line 15 station, located in the dense Rose de Cherbourg area to the south of the existing La Défense station forecourt and predominantly underground, is a technically complex project. The design will integrate the new station into the existing transport network and create new access points via a new building on Place Louise Bourgeois, as well as significantly improve connectivity for the town of Puteaux.

At ground level the station is designed as a large-glazed volume - an elegant structure, which incorporates a timber slat ceiling that, visible from Place Louise Bourgeois, creates warmth at the heart of the Arche Sud area. This structure will support a green roof which links to the landscaping integrated into the existing bridge which was completed by the developer Paris La Défense in 2023.

“Contributing to this major project for the west of Paris - connecting communities and promoting sustainable travel - was an obvious choice for us. Our expertise in infrastructure, means we can work with our partners to shape a sustainable city.”

said Alice Barrois, Principal at Grimshaw Paris.

The Société des grands projets awarded the IntenCités15* consortium (VINCI Construction Grands Projets, leader) the first design-build contract for line 15 (western section) of the Grand Paris Express, the largest urban mobility project currently underway in Europe. By 2031, this section will link the Pont de Sèvres station to the La Défense business district.

Further information:

Design and construction of La Défense station

Scheduled opening: end 2031

*The IntenCités15 Consortium : VINCI Construction Grands Projets (lead), CHANTIERS MODERNES CONSTRUCTION, RAZEL-BEC, DODIN CAMPENON BERNARD, SDEL INFI, FAYAT ENERGIE SERVICES, ETF, and an integrated design team comprising Artelia (lead), Ingérop, JFS Architectes, Grimshaw, AREP ARCHITECTES, ARCHI 5 PROD, PHILIPPE GAZEAU ARCHITECTE.