Paris office site visit to UNESCO Headquarters
28 October 2026
In August, our Paris office went on a whole office trip to UNESCO Headquarters.
Pierre Bourdier, Associate Director, and Charles Chevallier, Facade Project Manager, gave a tour of the UNESCO Building V site, now in its final phase. Designed by architect Bernard Zehrfuss and engineer Jean Prouvé, the building is undergoing a major transformation after more than 55 years of operation.
The Prouvé facades, which have been refurbished through an approach combining reuse and bio-based materials, have been in place since the end of 2024, and the occupants are now moving into their new offices.
On the patio side, the facade is nearing completion. We retained the architectural intent of the original design, keeping the same grid and top-hung opening vents, while introducing a new structurally glazed aluminium curtain wall with timber lining on the interior. The opaque enamelled glass zones have been replaced with extruded aluminium cladding, and curved glazing at the corners maintains the continuity of the facade.
Building V shows how careful facade engineering can help architectural heritage evolve while remaining true to its original language.
