Old Army Barracks transform into new premises for Paris university
The French capital's Lourcine barracks, dating back to 1875, have been transformed into a verdant, modern university building for Paris I – Law University by architecture practice Chartier-Dalix, which merged an industrial interior with a leafy, carefully landscaped exterior

Nestled in one of Paris’ oldest military sites, Lourcine barracks have been ambitiously transformed into a new site for Paris I Law University, complete with a library, lecture theatre, classrooms and offices. With the oldest parts dating back to 1875, the architects in charge of the project, the Paris-based Chartier-Dalix agency, have preserved the historic features of the site, while carefully adding in new elements with a strong contemporary feel.
Inside, natural light makes a wide corridor an ideal meeting space, where students and lecturers can gather around before heading to the other floors – all connected by a monumental, newly added, spiral staircase. The library’s reading rooms have been organised accordingly so that natural light can flood in through large original windows, creating a soothing atmosphere to those working on their academic studies.
Beyond a few modern and environmental upgrades, Chartier-Dalix has chiefly worked on clearing the heritage site, thus allowing its nineteenth century features and original splendour back into plain sight. Oak, glass and steel, added technical installations and industrial style made to measure pieces of furniture, bring the necessary contemporary touch to this renovation work, where old and new smoothly complement each other.
Outside, the grounds keep their original function as a central forecourt connecting a wooded garden and three buildings. Weathered steel panels pave the ground up to a gallery located at the lowest point of the site. Here what used to be an old car park has now been turned into a plush and stylish lecture theatre which can host up to 500 students.
Innovatively opening up to the surrounding existing buildings, the new Paris I Law University premises are an inspiring work of renovation, which brings a fresh architectural approach to this ever-changing south-eastern corner of the French capital city.
INFORMATION
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Fabienne Dupuis is a freelance journalist specialising in travel, design and architecture, as well as a hospitality consultant. With a love for spontaneous adventures, she has explored the Middle East, India, and Anglo-Saxon cultures and has lived in Great Britain, Morocco, and India. Passionate about long journeys, she’s completed global tours and a London-Delhi motorcycle ride.
-
Herzog & de Meuron and Piet Oudolf unveil Calder Gardens in Philadelphia
The new cultural landmark presents Alexander Calder’s work in dialogue with nature and architecture, alongside the release of Jacques Herzog’s 'Sketches & Notes'. Ellie Stathaki interviews Herzog about the project.
-
Beloved British screenwriter Dennis Potter inspires an exhibition with a difference at Studio Voltaire
Hilary Lloyd's multi-faceted exhibition at Studio Voltaire considers Dennis Potter's life and work, from much-loved TV classics to power inequalities
-
Insert here: London Design Festival gets intimate with insertable design
At London Design Festival, Heirloom Studio showcases 36 objects – some life-saving, some pleasure-giving, all made to go inside the body
-
‘Landscape architecture is the queen of science’: Emanuele Coccia in conversation with Bas Smets
Italian philosopher Emanuele Coccia meets Belgian landscape architect Bas Smets to discuss nature, cities and ‘biospheric thinking’
-
An apartment is for sale within Cité Radieuse, Le Corbusier’s iconic brutalist landmark
Once a radical experiment in urban living, Cité Radieuse remains a beacon of brutalist architecture. Now, a coveted duplex within its walls has come on the market
-
Explore the landscape of the future with Bas Smets
Landscape architect Bas Smets on the art, philosophy and science of his pioneering approach: ‘a site is not in a state of “being”, but in a constant state of “becoming”’
-
10 landscape architects to know now: the ultimate directory
The Wallpaper* 2025 Landscape Architects’ Directory spotlights the world's most exciting studios, each one transforming the environment around us with projects that celebrate nature in design
-
Landscape architect Taichi Saito: ‘I hope to create gentle landscapes that allow people’s hearts to feel at ease’
We meet Taichi Saito and his 'gentle' landscapes, as the Japanese designer discusses his desire for a 'deep and meaningful' connection between humans and the natural world
-
Meet Kotchakorn Voraakhom, the Thai force in landscape architecture
Alongside her studio Landprocess and network Porous City, Thai landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom is on a mission to make Bangkok a model of climate resilience
-
Meet Studio Zewde, the Harlem practice that's creating landscapes 'rooted in cultural narratives, ecology and memory'
Ahead of a string of prestigious project openings, we check in with firm founder Sara Zewde
-
For Indian landscape architect Varna Shashidhar, nature taught her ‘more than any lecture ever could’
Varna Shashidhar of Bangalore studio VSLA tells us of her journey to becoming a landscape architect, guided by observation, intuition, and a profound respect for place