Rehabilitation and Elevation of the Dolomieu Institute – Grenoble (38)

Client

Client :

Axis Immobilier

projet

Nature du projet :

Rehabilitation & Elevation

lieu

Lieu :

Grenoble

construction

Nature du système constructif :

agence bureau detude Axiolis

6 454 m2

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Area

2019 to 2020

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Study phase

11 000 000 €

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Construction budget

2020 to 2022

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Construction Phase

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.

Nos missions et métiers 
réalisés sur ce projet

New floors have been constructed, while others have been demolished, all the while maintaining the building's general exterior appearance, which has remained unchanged. The same approach has been taken with regard to the original materials in order to preserve the building's architectural language. The heavy rehabilitation project for the edifice relied on preliminary phases of fine diagnosis, including tests and instrumentation, that allowed for budget savings during the partial deconstruction phases. As a result, significant cost savings were achieved, particularly in the construction of cantilevered terraces.
The building also underwent a roof elevation, formalized by the addition of a metal structure. The structural capacities of the building were thus leveraged to create additional space, enhancing the overall occupancy capabilities of the new program.
The intervention in seismic zone 4 posed unique challenges in reconciling structural modifications and strengthening the existing building. For this, the use of bracing through a metal structure was necessary, along with the creation of diaphragm-type floors to standardize the entire structure.
Due to limited access to the construction site, optimizing the imported materials was crucial. This also helped the environmental impact of the project. The development carefully considered both architectural integrity and functional needs, working to enhance the structure's utility while respecting its original character. The adoption of innovative, yet contextually sensitive construction methods demonstrate a thoughtful balance between preservation and modernization.

Dolomieu Institute, Grenoble Renovation of a six storey structure
Dolomieu Institute New floor installation
Dolomieu Institute Major refurbishment including new floor construction
Institut Dolomieu before works
Structural capacity test for building extension
Institut Dolomieu rehabilitation view
Institut Dolomieu projection D after working
Institut Dolomieu after rehabilitation

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