Rehabilitation and Elevation of Dolomieu Institute in Grenoble
Since 1961, the more than 5,000-square-meter structure has been imposing presence at the foot of the Bastille site, overlooking the city of Grenoble. The former geological building of the university was closed in 2001. It was auctioned off by the state in June 2016 and eventually purchased by the Marseille-based developer Axis.
After an extensive renovation that lasted nearly three years, the six-story complex now offers a range of services under the Babel Community concept. This includes 137 co-living apartments, a co-working space with 100 workstations coupled with three meeting rooms (which are also open to external businesses), an Events space, a fitness room, a terrace bar that serves as the reception area on the ground floor, as well as a rooftop panoramic restaurant.
The project aims to respect the building’s original character. The exterior has been preserved, maintaining its original aesthetic, including large bay windows that provide views of the city of Grenoble and the surrounding mountains. This renovation and repurposing effort has been comprehensive, spanning structural improvements, internal redesign, and the addition of modern amenities, all while paying homage to the building’s historical significance and visual impact on the landscape.