Foster + Partners revealed the Hermitage Plaza project in Paris

Foster + Partners presented the Hermitage Plaza center project at the ongoing real estate fair in Cannes, which is set to be built east of Paris's La Défense, in Courbevoie. It will include two towers of 323 meters in height - the tallest mixed-use buildings in Western Europe - featuring a hotel, a spa, apartments with panoramic views, offices, and retail spaces on the ground floor. The development is expected to take place from 2010 until the end of 2014.
The towers, with a triangular footprint, define a public square. As they rise in height, the towers seem to twist to allow uninterrupted views of Paris. Throughout the day, reflections of sunlight will change on the undulating glass façade. The façade has been designed with shading considerations and includes ventilation openings for fresh air intake into the interior. The diagonal structural system is not only very efficient but also emphasizes the elegant proportions of the buildings.
In the Hermitage Plaza center, there will also be an administrative building resembling a crystal and two structures for a gallery and conference hall. The square, created by relocating the current busy road underground, will slope towards the Seine and will feature cafés and restaurants around its perimeter.