Arboretum
WO2. Nanterre, Île-de-France, France
Massive brownfield transformation creates eco-smart workplace.
Europe’s largest timber office campus, Arboretum spans 126,000 m² across seven buildings, including five new timber structures and two rehabilitated industrial halls. The €650m development transforms a 42-acre brownfield into a mixed-use workplace with extensive green landscapes. The project addresses climate and urban challenges by creating ultra-low-carbon offices that reconnect people with nature while reducing energy use by 80% and promoting biodiversity, wellbeing, and economic regeneration.
Built with 32,000 m³ of FSC/PEFC-certified timber, Arboretum integrates geothermal energy, rainwater reuse, and design-for-disassembly. Innovations include exposed timber interiors, circular material flows, and advanced fire safety systems. With halved life-cycle carbon, adaptable design and jobs in local timber regions, Arboretum serves as an important example of innovation in creating sustainable workplaces.
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