Daniel Libeskind’s firm Studio Libeskind has won two competitions in southern France: one in Nice, the other in Toulouse.
A conference and transportation centre will be built in Nice and a 150m-high structure comprising a hotel, office and apartment space will be Toulouse’s tallest building.
Nice’s Gare Thiers-Est will be redeveloped to contain 18,300 square metres of commercial space featuring shops, cafes, restaurants, a Hilton hotel and a 600-capacity auditorium.
The jagged building will be covered in a 40m-high reflective glass and metal façade that will make the structure viewable from the hills above the city.
The Gare Thiers-Est courtesy of Studio Libeskind
Libeskind said: "This project represents the forward thinking of the City of Nice to create a major architectural landmark and to rejuvenate the surrounding area near the Theirs Station in this historic city.
"For Nice, my aim was to create a building that is seen from all angles – that will become the connective tissue between two sectors and reconnect the neighborhoods. It will serve to reflect the city, the light and the landscape."
Libeskind will collaborate with Fevrier Carre Architectes and landscape architect Jean Mus for the design.
Work will start on the project in late 2017 and be completed at the end of 2019.
The Occitanie Tower, courtesy of Luxigon
In Toulouse, Studio Libeskind is behind a 40-storey building on the site of a former post office sorting centre.
The Occitanie Tower will also include a Hilton hotel as well as 11,000 square metres of office space, around 120 apartments and a restaurant.
A "ribbon" of vertical gardens will weave their way up the structure, aiming to act as an extension of the park surrounding the Canal du Midi.
The Occitanie Tower, courtesy of Luxigon
Studio Libeskind will work with landscape designer Nicolas Gilsoul and architect Francis Cardete on the project.
Construction is due to start in 2018 and finish in 2022.
Top image: The Gare Thiers-Est courtesy of Studio Libeskind
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Seems to be no stopping the man these days. An architecture of ‘jagged’ geometries in shiny glass for French cities with ambitions to be part of the brave new global community. Oh la la.