A new monumental staircase has been installed in the Wendel Group’s new headquarters at 2-6 rue Cézanne in Paris, linking the R+6 and R+7 levels. The project is part of a wider renovation of floors R+5 to R+8. The quarter-turn staircase connects the Tisanerie at R+6 to the Cafeteria at R+7, with no intermediate supports, allowing an unobstructed view and free passage below. Its 90° plan comprises two straight sections and a circular connection, providing an elegant, fluid transition between floors, while maximizing the available space.
Construction of the staircase required modification of the existing concrete structure. The 1930s-era concrete structure was designed and dimensioned to accommodate the creation of a hopper, headers to support the staircase, and reinforcement in carbon fibre plates to resist the new loads induced by the staircase. These structural modifications were essential to guarantee the safety of the staircase, while respecting the building’s historic architecture.
The exterior envelope is metal, in matte-painted steel, giving the staircase a contemporary, industrial look, in harmony with the modern image that the Wendel Group wishes to project. The interior, including the cladding and handrail, as well as the treads and their underside, is made of oak wood, in keeping with the architects’ desire to combine warmth and elegance. The oak wood adds a touch of sophistication and comfort, contrasting pleasantly with the cold steel and giving the whole a welcoming, refined ambience.
