Imagine stepping off a plane at one of the world’s busiest airports, and right there, you see a pair of modern hotels ready to welcome you. This is the vision Manuelle Gautrand Architecture has brought to life at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport in Roissy, France.
A Hotel Within a Hub
This isn’t just any hotel project – it’s strategically located at Charles de Gaulle airport, a sprawling travel hub. The hotels cater to weary travelers in transit, business professionals needing proximity to the airport, and anyone seeking a comfortable stay before or after their journey.
The project site is part of a larger plan to revitalize the airport. Situated close to Terminal 1, the hotels are part of a new “hotel hub” that will also include office buildings. This ambitious plan integrates seamlessly with the airport’s evolving landscape.
Connecting to the City
The hotels are positioned along a vibrant urban axis that will connect different parts of the airport. This axis will feature a tramway, a dual carriageway, and dedicated paths for cyclists and pedestrians. The hotel forecourts, facing this axis, will become lively public spaces.
The design incorporates large, planted esplanades, adding a touch of nature to the busy airport environment. The hotels open their lobbies and public areas, including restaurants, onto this welcoming axis, encouraging interaction and creating a sense of community.
Standing Out from the Crowd
Our hotel project occupies a strategic location at the eastern end of the axis. This prominent position ensures high visibility, not just from the axis itself, but also from the nearby taxiway, where aircraft spend considerable time before and after take-off.
Two Hotels, One Vision
The project features two separate hotels, each belonging to different brands but designed to work harmoniously as a “combo.” While the two hotels maintain their distinct identities, they share some common spaces, creating a cohesive whole.
The architecture cleverly reflects this duality. The building is divided into two distinct volumes that slide alongside each other, then seamlessly connect through a shared base element. This approach creates a dynamic, interconnected space, avoiding the bulky appearance of a single, monolithic structure.
The slight offset between the two volumes generates a playful interaction, with unexpected reflections dancing across their surfaces. This clever design creates an inviting public space that seamlessly connects to the urban axis, offering a unique backdrop for the two hotels.
Rooms with a View
The design prioritizes distinct horizontal elements to reflect the different functions within each hotel.
Guest rooms, the core of the hotel experience, are housed in compact, meticulously organized blocks. Central circulation allows for efficient movement, and rooms are arranged on either side.
In contrast, common areas, designed for social interaction and relaxation, are more fluid and open. Extensive glazing brings the outside in, creating an airy, welcoming atmosphere.
The rooms are thoughtfully arranged, seamlessly blending with the common areas on the lower levels. The building’s extremities gracefully cantilever outwards, creating a series of steps that offer breathtaking views of the airport’s expansive landscape.
A Play of Light and Shadow
The building’s façades play a crucial role in establishing its visual identity.
The guest room façades, carefully layered, create a gradient of tones, gradually shifting from darker at the bottom to lighter at the top. This subtle transition adds depth and visual interest.
The lower levels, housing the common areas, are dominated by generous glazing, ensuring maximum natural light and offering views to the outside world.
The proximity of the two hotels provides an opportunity for playful interaction. The guest room façades are clad in powder-coated aluminum panels, which, when positioned facing each other, create captivating reflections.
This combination of materials creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, further enhancing the building’s visual appeal.
A Harmonious Ensemble
This hotel project is a testament to the power of architectural unity and complementarity. The two distinct brands are brought together through shared spaces and a unified design language, creating a cohesive and engaging architectural ensemble.
The façades effectively convey the project’s dual nature, while the strategic placement within the airport’s evolving landscape ensures a harmonious integration. The result is a pair of hotels that are not only visually striking but also functional, welcoming, and seamlessly integrated into the busy airport environment.
