BNP Paribas Real Estate, Paris

BNP Paribas Real Estate Headquarters – Paris, France
Project overview

BNP Paribas Real Estate’s headquarters in Paris is part of a major redevelopment of the French capital’s business districts. The complex hosts offices, retail spaces and amenities for one of Europe’s largest financial institutions. The architects sought to provide a workspace that supports occupant wellbeing through generous daylight while achieving ambitious energy targets in line with French regulations and corporate sustainability goals.

Design challenge

Paris has a temperate climate with frequent overcast skies and occasional intense sunshine. Office buildings typically rely on large areas of glazing to capture daylight, yet this increases the risk of overheating and glare. The client required a façade system that delivers a high level of visual transparency to reinforce openness and corporate identity while ensuring low solar heat gains. Conventional sunshades would compromise the crisp, modern appearance of the façade.

RetroSolar strategy

The chosen solution integrates RETROLux 50 mm blinds inside triple‑layer insulated glazing units. The blinds are positioned between two cavities, allowing them to operate without being exposed to dust or weather. Each slat has a mirror finish on its upper surface that reflects sunlight back towards the exterior and a matte lower surface that diffuses light. When the blinds are horizontal, they preserve a clear view through the glass; when closed, they provide privacy and additional shading. The glazing configuration achieves a g‑value of 0.31 and a visible transmittance of 47 %. With the blinds open, the total solar heat‑gain coefficient drops to 0.10, offering excellent thermal performance.

Building physics and performance

The triple glazing with integrated mirror blinds reduces heat flow and ensures stable interior temperatures year‑round. The reflective slats reject incoming solar radiation without heating up, unlike absorbent coatings, thus lowering cooling loads. The high reflectance also improves daylight penetration by sending diffuse light onto the ceiling and reducing contrast ratios. Occupants benefit from a visually comfortable environment with low glare and consistent ambient brightness. The low SHGC values contribute to the building’s compliance with stringent energy codes and support certifications such as HQE and BREEAM.

Architectural outcome and significance

By embedding RetroSolar blinds within the glazing, the façade maintains a sleek, uniform appearance free from protruding shades. This integration reflects the bank’s commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility. The project demonstrates the potential of mirror‑optic venetian blinds to meet both aesthetic and performance requirements in high‑end office developments. As European cities tighten energy‑efficiency mandates, such systems are likely to become more prevalent in the commercial real‑estate sector.