Once the required program is fit into the given site following the district’s height restrictions, a fairly dense block is created by Parisian standards. By splitting the substantial program as much as possible into smaller volumes, a fine urban grain can be imagined which reflects the historic surroundings better than a monolithic block. Le Grande Gallerie further develops the spatial concept of a highly porous, mixed-use urban block framing a large, interiorised public space which MVRDV realised in such projects as Le Monolithe, Parkrand, and Mirador.

The program forms three ‘villages’ which are stacked on top of eachother. A basement of parking and ground and first floor retail units creates a lively atmosphere and connects the building to the surrounding retail area. Terraces offer views around the grand gallery, and create a secondary circulation loop. On top of this retail village, a series of different housing and office blocks are positioned. Each of these houses is placed as a separate entity thus allowing a different identity and character.