The demolition takes part of the architecture history, sometimes unfortunately, sometimes fortunately. With the 3M tower story, we are in the sadest example that we can do. Nevertheless, we hope that the Nexity (operator of the new project in the site) big effort for contribute to save the memory of this emblematic tower, will be positive in time.
The demolition of the 3M Tower in Cergy-Pontoise, France, an exceptional building by architect Paul Depondt that forms the skyline of the city, is nearing completion. Anne-Charlotte Depondt wrote in 2019 in the famous French magazine AMC: "It is difficult to know who is responsible for this decision. (...) One thing is certain, the brutal change in 3M's land policy in 2010 has condemned the building. And in order to keep the American firm on the territory, the public authorities have committed to a new real estate strategy that takes advantage of the immense land ownership in the heart of the city where the tower is located."
The effective demolition at the end of 2020, catastrophic year in many ways, deserves that we return to this building qualities, to save its memory, so that never again such destruction will occur. As "3M Tower in Cergy" is the story of the American dream, of a unique intellectual complicity between the French architect, the American client, and the French engineer, an intelligent architectural design, really innovative, one lung inside the heart of the Cergy town. This is precisely what we explain in this issue of Com d'Archi.
Teaser photo : 3M façade, one year's ago at the beginning of the demolition.
Podcast recorded on November 12, 2020.
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