Based on a fictional story. In 2030, Paris had become unrecognizable. The streets were saturated with autonomous cars, and consumer society had reached its peak. Citizens owned so many things that they didn’t know what to do with them anymore. Waste piled up in the streets, and sewers frequently overflowed. Climate change had hit the city hard, with temperatures regularly soaring above 50 degrees Celsius. The social divide and isolation associated with the intensive use of new technologies were becoming increasingly visible.
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The key words were reprogramming, renovation, and recycling. Could Les Halles, once a symbol of overconsumption, have become a place of resistance and hope? 
 
The urban project aims to requalify key areas of Les Halles, addressing their lack of attractiveness and urban clarity. Through temporary or permanent interventions, such as a vegetable market, a book market, and a children’s playground near the Saint-Merri school, it seeks to foster community living. Special attention is given to the materiality of the ground to structure the spaces, while major boulevard traffic is redesigned to improve flow and strengthen connections between the district's key landmarks. These developments aim to create a more cohesive, welcoming, and dynamic urban environment.

 
The architectural project focuses specifically on the air conditioning plant of the Les Halles shopping center. Covering 1,500 square meters on the ground and standing 21 meters tall, the building’s current use and opacity create a gray zone in the neighborhood that requires rethinking.
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To repurpose the building as a center dedicated to popular culture, the project proposes integrating wind towers inspired by the Badgir of the Middle East to naturally ventilate the underground shopping center. Architecturally, the project involves the installation of open platforms that support a wide variety of cultural and sports activities, offering users maximum freedom of movement. Practices such as music, parkour, dance, and skateboarding intersect and intertwine, creating a dynamic and ever-changing program.
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The overlapping floors and staircases transform the space into a playground for users, enabling complete modularity. The interior extends outward with the creation of a new elevated promenade, which also includes a new garden for nearby residences. This design fosters a seamless connection between the building, its surroundings, and the community.