The cube-shaped building has six floors, including a basement and ground floor. Its total above-ground height is 18.70 m. The top view shows a 30 x 30 m floor divided into five identical 6 x 6 m modules offering a high degree of layout flexibility.

The initial prismatic volume is 'hollowed out' on the roof to create terraces, while at ground level it is 'stretched' in order to connect the building to the silo. These subtractions and additions produce a series of spaces that creates a dialogue between the building's inner and outer environments. These include the staggered experimentation terraces and the covered outdoor spaces (pergola and the awning) in direct contact with the public spaces at the heart of the Bluefactory site.

Winter gardens are a key element in the building design. They serve as places to relax and experiment, and are an essential part of the natural ventilation system which is designed to backs up the building's mechanical ventilation system. All indoor and outdoor glazing is therefore controlled by a BMS (Building Management System).

The planting of the winter gardens will:

- contribute to microclimate management (shading, evaporative cooling, etc.)
- enhance the building's seasonal dynamics
- provide a pleasant mix of light and shade to actively support the social function of the space
- emphasize the verticality and generosity of the space.

The landscaping design has three main components:

A - Plant beds
Vegetation mainly at eye level will maximize its visual presence; planting-landscaping symbiosis.

B - Green wall (SE-facing winter garden)
4-floor green wall visible from the railway tracks and featuring an autonomous system that takes advantage of the wall's south-facing aspect.

C - Vertical climbers
Climbing plants emphasize the verticality of the space and provide a pleasant mix of light and shade.

A central void in the middle of the building will bring light into the indoor spaces, provide vertical circulation throughout the structure, and serve as a visual and physical link to the myriad activities and spaces housed within the building.

The building features a ground- and first-floor extension to the west which ends at the pre-existing silo. It also has two- and three-floor elevated inner terraces (winter gardens). The basement will be built entirely from reinforced concrete (walls, columns, basement slab, raft and foundations) due to the fact that is in contact with the ground and has to withstand heavy vertical and horizontal loads.

Above ground, the main structure will be built entirely from timber, with the exception of two reinforced concrete cores embedded in the basement to absorb horizontal forces generated by earthquakes and wind.

The primary structure of the Smart Living Lab building is a glulam frame (beams and columns). The slabs are composed of box elements supported by framing beams between the columns.

The overall design of the building takes inspiration from how a living organism interacts with its environment. To improve the life cycle of the building, local resources will used as far as possible, and the main facade will be constructed from timber.

The facade is made up of regular modules, some of which can be dismantled/unmounted. The module will also be fitted with solar protection elements that vary according to the aspect. All facade elements are visible, which will make them easy to replace and will ensure the conditions are in place which the Smart Living Lab requires for its experiments.

In addition to the regular module, the building will have other facade types that are best suited to the different indoor functions. They include the experimentation terraces, the winter gardens (outdoor and indoor), the entrance and external doors, and the glass roofs over the pergola and atrium.

Constant evolution and experimentation are at the heart of the Smart Living Lab's ambitions as a research and development center. The partitioning, heating, ventilation and electrical systems therefore have been designed to provide maximum flexibility in how the spaces are used. Workplaces can be made more attractive; utilization can be densified to meet environmental performance targets; different working arrangements can be tested under real-life conditions, such as desk-sharing and hybrid work models; and the integration of lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Finished floor level (FFL) = -5.20 m

Uses:

- Plant rooms
- Storage and cleaning facilities
- Battery and machine storage rooms
- Showers and lockers
- IT room, washroom and shower with disabled access

Finished floor level (FFL) = 0.00 m (FFL INF = -1.50 m )

Uses:

- Foyer
- Conference areas
- Laboratory workspace (climatic chambers)
- Cafeteria
- Washroom with disabled access
- Infirmary and lactation room
- General admin office and IT storage

Finished floor level (FFL) = +3.60 m

Use:

- Smart Living Lab (SLL) reception
- Winter garden (SOUTH)
- Office and meeting areas for SLL units and guests
- Brainstorming spaces
- Kitchenette
- Print room, IT room and washroom

Finished floor level (FFL) = +7.20 m

Use:

- Offices and meeting spaces for SLL units
- Capsule, lounges and informal breakout/meeting spaces
- Kitchenette
- Winter garden (WEST)
- Terrace
- Photovoltaic array, pergola
- Print room, washrooms with disabled access

Finished floor level (FFL) = +10.80 m

Use:

- Offices and meeting spaces for SLL units
- Capsule zones, lounges and informal meeting/breakout spaces
- Winter garden (SOUTH)
- Kitchenette
- Print room, IT room and washroom

Finished floor level (FFL) = +14.00 m

Uses:

- Experiment space
- Flexible experiment spaces (terraces, EAST and WEST)
- Electronics workshop
- FAB LAB
- Prototyping workshop
- IT room and washroom

Parapet level = +18.70 m

Use:

- Photovoltaic assay on green roof
- Glass roof on atrium and winter garden skylights
- Outlet ducts and technical installations

South-facing aspect, 10° pitch

206 modules

Size 1,775 x 1,038 m

120 half cel./module

P:  370 Wp/module

Technology: Mono-Si

Zenith orientation (North/South)

61 modules

Size 1,905 x 1,700 m

100 cel./module

P: 509 Wp/module

Technology: Mono-S (bi-facial)

South-, east- and west-facing aspect

16 modules in 2 different sizes : 

9 modules of 0,70 x 3,48 m
84 cel./module
P: 427 Wp/module

7 modules of 0,70 x 3,70 m
84 cel./module
P: 427 Wp/module

Technology : Mono-Si (bi-facial)

Orientation Sud, Est, et Ouest.
Inclinaison 90° (verticaux).

60 colored modules

Size: 2.56 x 0.85 m

75 cel/module

P: 351 Wp/module (*)

Technology: Mono-Si + integrated selective film or colored glass

(*) The power described here corresponds to the maximum potential. It will be reduced depending on the technology and characteristics of the visual customization system used (glass treatment, colored film, etc.).

South-facing aspect.
15° pitch.

28 modules

Size: 1.975 x 0.673 m

48 cel./module

P: 225 kWp/module

Technology: Mono-Si on flexible film

Unit : kWh/m² by year

Simulated annual cumulative solar irradiation on photovoltaic modules.