![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-1.jpg)
La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand
This angular structure looping around a central courtyard is an office building in Saint-Etienne by French studio Manuelle Gautrand Architecture.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-2.jpg)
The façade of the building is made up of opaque and glass rectangular panels, contrasting with the yellow underbelly where parts of the volume have been cut away.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-3.jpg)
Three entry points have been created where the building rises and falls, providing a yellow canopy over the pavement.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-10.jpg)
Above photograph is by Philippe Ruault
A central courtyard allows easy circulation in and around the building.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-11.jpg)
Above photograph is by Philippe Ruault
The building houses the offices for several government bodies, as well as a restaurant, tourism bureau and leisure facilities.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-6.jpg)
Photographs are by Vincent Fillon unless otherwise stated.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-5.jpg)
Above photograph is by Philippe Ruault
More projects by Manuelle Gautrand on Dezeen »
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More office buildings on Dezeen »
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-8.jpg)
The following information is from the architects:
“LA CITE DES AFFAIRES” IN SAINT-ETIENNE - Grüner district – Zac Châteaucreux, Saint-Etienne
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-9.jpg)
This office building (1.500 workstations) groups various public services, including the head office of ‘Saint-Etienne Metropole’, a business canteen and 400 parking places.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-12.jpg)
Above photograph is by Philippe Ruault
The site is a vital liaison point between the centre of Saint-Etienne and the new Chateaucreux neighbourhood, to which it forms a major entranceway.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-13.jpg)
Above photograph is by Philippe Ruault
It also constitutes a pole grouping several government bodies that will set up there : Regional Development Authority, Tax Services, Epora, Saint-Etienne Métropole, and so on.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-14.jpg)
Above photograph is by Philippe Ruault
Service and leisure facilities will also be part of the mix: shared corporate restaurant, café, tourism bureau for the metropiltan area.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-15.jpg)
Above photograph is by Philippe Ruault
The idea is to develop a long built ‘continuum’ on the site to interact with adjacent streets.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-16.jpg)
A linear construction that rears up and unfolds but also hugs the ground line to form a low accessible building - one that opens spacious courts and lifts bold overhangs.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-17.jpg)
Each of its large bays serves an access route: the main portal opens to the concourse on avenue Grüner, which draws pedestrians into the project in a sliding movement.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-19.jpg)
A high ceiling shelters and magnifies this entranceway, which is the finest and largest of three.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-20.jpg)
The other two large ‘ports’ open the project to the streets that irrigate the lot, interconnecting pedestrian itineraries in the area.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-23.jpg)
Our desire for continuity in construction does not simply reflect the idea of building a legible and unitary urban landmark, it also provides the flexibility that the project needs.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-24.jpg)
Above photograph is by Philippe Ruault
In fact, the principle behind this continuum is to imagine a set of ‘communicating parts’ that enable the user-administrations to merge into a whole, one and all, and to evolve according to their needs in harmony with those of other tenants.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-25.jpg)
Above photograph is by Philippe Ruault
The absence of breaks in surfaces will ensure that things remain open-ended, with the possibility of extending or reducing space.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-30.jpg)
Above photograph is by Philippe Ruault
The project is like a large ‘Aztec serpent’ rising on the lot.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-27.jpg)
Above photograph is by Philippe Ruault
Its body has three identical outer faces, and an underside that is different: a skin of silvery transparent scales and a bright yellow ‘throat’, shiny and opaque.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-28.jpg)
Above photograph is by Philippe Ruault
This dual treatment of surfaces obeys a simple logic shared throughout, which aims at expressing clarity in folds.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-29.jpg)
Above photograph is by Philippe Ruault
Depending on these movements, the yellow underside is either a floating canopy or an interior vertical wall, accompanying internal pedestrian movements with its rich luminous presence.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-32.jpg)
The nearness of so much gorgeous yellow brightens up pavements and glazed elevations, casting golden washes over them like sunlight…
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-33.jpg)
This is a project that is about bringing together yellow and grey, silver and gold.
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-34.gif)
ARCHITECT
Manuelle Gautrand Architecture: Manuelle Gautrand - representative architect, Thomas Daragon - works project manager, Yves Tougard - studies project manager
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-35.gif)
CLIENT
Altarea-Cogedim
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-36.gif)
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Structure: Khephren
Façade: Arcora
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-37.gif)
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Maîtrise d’œuvre d’exécution : Debray Ingénierie
Roofing / Finishings: Pitance-Lamy
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-38.gif)
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Metallic framework : Baudin-Châteauneuf
Façade : Allouis
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-39.gif)
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Surface : 25.000sqm
Length : 108 m, width : 43 m, max height. : 34 m
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-40.gif)
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Cantilever 25 m X 20 m without any grounding support
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-41.gif)
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Dates : 2005: design constest, 2006-2007 : studies, 2008-2010 : works, delivery : september 2010
![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-42.gif)
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![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-43.gif)
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![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-44.gif)
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![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-45.gif)
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![La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand La Cite des Affaires by Manuelle Gautrand](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_La-Cite-des-Affaires-by-Manuelle-Gautrand-46.gif)
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See also:
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Monolith by Erick van Egeraat |
Le Monolith by MVRDV |
More projects by Manuelle Gautrand Architecture |