THINK TANK, multi-purpose architecture

‘THINK TANK architecture paysage urbanisme’ is an agency that was co-founded sixteen years ago by Marine de la Guerrande and Adrien Pineau. It is established in Paris to keep an eye on the international scene. De la Guerrande and Adrien Pineau are a complementary duo and follow each project with great precision and consideration.

From the outset, the THINK TANK agency has demonstrated great versatility in the projects entrusted to it. From prospecting to realisation - including the various procedures of feasibility, programming, support - and also, when necessary, planning advice, all the phases have been integral steps involving the architects. Responding as effectively as possible to the issues of a project, the requirements of a project owner and the complexity of a programme remains key for the agency, that has always campaigned for the public interest of architecture. Let's discover the agency's various projects together.

US Metro Bizot Paris12 sports centre

In Paris, THINK TANK was commissioned to carry out the transformation of a former RATP hall (RATP has a bus network that covers the entire territory of the city of Paris and the vast majority of its near suburbs, Ed.) into a new-generation sports centre for the ‘Union Sportive Métropolitaine des Transports’ (USMT, Sportive Metropolitan Union of Transport) or US Métro, a Parisian multisports club founded in 1928 and linked to the RATP. It makes available around a dozen sites to the general public, primarily to RATP employees. The industrial complex, which occupies the centre of a city block, has been used for a variety of purposes in the past, including as a horse stable and as a mechanical workshop and storage facility. Having been abandoned, it was in need of a complete overhaul.

Although the subject seems simple, the architects' task was arduous. Apart from the complexity of accessing the site through a building porch with limited dimensions, the existing structure first had to be cleared and stripped of asbestos. The intervention was not an easy one. The architects kept the existing structure, renovated and rehabilitated it, and also enlarged it to meet various current issues. This skilful work has transformed a neglected heritage site into a highly technical architectural facility that is available for its users. Similarly, the interior spaces have been enhanced, the circulation has been facilitated and the framework was upgraded. The atrium at the heart of the building not only brings in natural light but also acts as a thermal regulator, a winter garden and a place for chance encounters. Versatile and bioclimatic, it functions like a temperate greenhouse, warming the air in winter and ventilating the building in summer. As for the various walkways created within the space, these offer a multitude of interior views highlighting the characteristics of the place. The environmental approach (the bioclimatic and passive approach and the use of the ‘Métal’ dry system) earned the agency the AMO 2024 Prize for ‘Typologie la plus créative’ (Most Creative Typology) and an Eiffel 2024 trophy in the ‘Divertir’ (Entertain) category.

Lafayette block, Paris 10th

THINK TANK, partnering up with DATA architectes (agents), created a complete block in Paris which was proclaimed the winner of the ‘Équerre d'Argent’ (Silver T-square Prize) in 2024 in the ‘Lieux d’activités’ (Places of activity) category and also received the D'A Prize. This involves the redevelopment of the Lafayette complex in the 10th arrondissement, which consists of a group of eight buildings stretching over a depth of approximately 100 metres.

A project such as this one is highly complex. Apart from its strategic location, it comprises a multitude of structures with various characteristics belonging to different eras, grouped around a courtyard that opens onto the street. The proposal of the DATA + THINK TANK team was both concise and relevant. The architects aspired to preserve as much of the existing structure as possible, creating a new dynamic by equipping the complex with architectural features with multiple effects, while offering the place optimal habitability.

The architects built new entities on a street that links two distinct urban fabrics. These buildings are set against the existing ones and provide a small public space, like a small square freed up by the cut-off corners of the buildings. From there, you can catch a glimpse of the inner courtyard where there are several new external staircases that now serve as meeting places, connecting the buildings and cleverly combining several previously separate spaces and levels. In this diverse complex, one finds a residential building with a spacious interior made of a wooden structure and CLT floors. It faces another new entity, containing offices built with a wooden post/beam structure with connected concrete floors and a wooden curtain wall. Finally, the double facade of the building in the background fulfils several objectives of safety with two staircases, climate regulation and expansion with the winter gardens.

Nevertheless, this remains a difficult exercise, as it involves inserting the two buildings into a very characteristic, mineral environment. This was a manoeuvre that was accomplished with brio. The other buildings have been completely remodelled and rehabilitated according to the condition and composition of each one. Thanks to rigorous and pertinent intervention, the Îlot (Island) Lafayette is finally reborn after a long lethargy.

Kinshasa Central Market, DRC

THINK TANK was commissioned to rebuild the central market in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This market is a massive structure that covers an area of approximately 3.7 hectares and is adjacent to the botanical garden. The intervention was meticulous and well thought out. The architects first studied the geographical location, the surroundings, the habits of the users and also the various future requirements. The study was fruitful and the proposal was satisfactory.

The ageing mushroom-slab structure, which had become obsolete, gave way to a construction that allowed all vendors, even the most modest, to have a sales space. The new central market has a rectangular plan, a brick facade and a generous public space on three sides. A covered arcaded promenade accommodates the future shops on three levels. While the various shops on the ground floor are sheltered from the sun, the upper floors and galleries, protected from the sun and ventilated by a brick ‘mashrabiya’ (type of projecting oriel window enclosed with carved wood latticework located on the upper floors of a building, Ed.), offer different perspectives on the city, the market and also the neighbouring garden. The shops are closed with metal curtains and at nightfall, the main entrances are closed with railings.

The covered market is at the heart of the structure and is spread over two levels. It consists of covered, but open halls, whose structure follows the principle of mushroom slabs. This is a simple architectural gesture, offering a nice hint to the history of the place. Despite its large size and footprint, the building is nevertheless ethereal. Thanks to the various transparent openings, offering views of the city and the sky and its landscaped patios, the gigantic complex functions as a city within a city with its alleys, footbridges, meeting areas and a 2,000m² food court. The new central market of Kinshasa offers the Kinshasa population a new and vibrant place to live.

L'Oréal Gauchy factory

In view of the redeployment and expansion of packaging with the relocation of the laboratories, the L'Oréal perfume production plant in Gauchy needed to be restructured and extended. This notable project was entrusted to THINK TANK architecture. The client had consulted the architects to design the redevelopment of the laboratories, but following a visit to the site, the architects' proposal was more extensive and beneficial.

Marine de la Guerrande and Adrien Pineau proposed to separate the production part from the laboratories, all without interrupting the general production activity 24 hours a day. This delicate, but nevertheless interesting operation appealed to the project owner. To do this, the architects set about relocating the laboratories in the new extension. With its anodised aluminium envelope, it is grafted onto the existing building through an interior street crowned with a glass roof. Bright and spacious, the alleyway also acts as an acoustic buffer, protecting the laboratories from the noise of the machines and allowing visitors to see the factory without entering the protected zone (ISO zone). The new extension is effective and ethereal, and enhances the brand image. At the same time, it meets the functional requirements of the production plant. It is a concise and appropriate achievement that embraces its context.

Rotonde des arts du spectacle BnF Richelieu Paris

At the end of the first phase of renovation work on the BnF Richelieu, located in the first arrondissement of Paris, a new exhibition space, the ‘Rotonde des Arts du Spectacle’ (Performance Arts Rotunda), was opened to the public. The project consisted of designing the scenography and museography of this formerly secret place.

The proposal by THINK TANK architecture (agent), in collaboration with scenographer Laure Dezeuze and graphic designer Jérôme Le Scanff, won the contract. Located at the end of the glass gallery, the former ‘Rotonde Van Praët’ of the ‘Réserve des livres rares’ (Rare Books Reserve) was characterised by its original décor, bearing the prestigious signature of Henri Labrouste. The architects succeeded in revealing the characteristics of the place. The intervention was succinct but attractive. In this 100 m² space, composed of a multitude of peripheral display cases around a central island, the scenography also contains some carefully arranged rest areas. These interspaces are used to contemplate the works on display or simply help one escape. It is a skilful and respectful realisation because it is reversible, in a place steeped in history.

Residence with 26 apartments in Goma, DRC

After the construction of the large central market in Kinshasa, the architects at THINK TANK were commissioned to build a residential complex in Goma. This ethical design will soon be realised. The programme is dense, comprising 14 one-bedroom apartments, 10 two-bedroom apartments, in addition to two penthouses, a reception room with bar and terrace, a concierge service, as well as a swimming pool, a pool house and a landscaped garden. After carefully studying tropical habitats, the architects proposed a bioclimatic design characterised by natural ventilation, summer comfort and water management, giving priority to renewable energy, local resources and biodiversity. This is a positive approach, opting for local and bio-based materials, while offering top-of-the-range services. Upon its completion, the building will set an example to follow.

Marine de la Guerrande presents the agency through conferences all over the world. Recently, she was invited to Singapore for the 5th edition of EEHB (Energy Efficiency in Historic Buildings). The two partners have been nominated several times for prestigious awards. Do they have a certain wish? Well, two or more, actually: they want to build a winery and a place of worship, to open up even more internationally, but always to keep a sense of proportion. Ranging from a simple pastry shop where every detail is designed down to the scale of the block where every fraction is pampered, THINK TANK's achievements and ongoing projects are varied. And despite the diversity of scales and programmes, a common thread characterises all of their work. Perseverance, meticulousness and attention to detail are among the countless ingredients of the success of the duo, who are building in France and beyond.