Aviva France, a major player in life assurance, fund management and general insurance, has chosen Stern to design its future Tour Carpe Diem in La Défense (Courbevoie).
Aviva France, a major player in life assurance, fund management and general insurance, has chosen Stern to design its future Tour Carpe Diem in La Défense (Courbevoie). This environmentally responsible tower consolidates Aviva's expertise in ecological buildings. Three firms of architects were selected in the competition: Stern (New York), Jacques Ferrier (Paris) and Foster + Partners (London).
Robert A M Stern Architects, LLP is a 300-person firm of architects with its head office in New York. In its 40-year history, the firm has established a global reputation through high-profile projects such as office towers and shopping centres. Robert A M Stern, the founder of the firm, is Dean of the Yale School of Architecture. Stern specialises in designing environmentally responsible buildings.
There were 12 members of the judging panel:
- Chairman: Bruno Rostain, chairman of the board of Aviva France
- Co-Chairman: Jacques Kossowski, Mayor of Courbevoie
- Co-Chairman: Bernard Bled, head of EPAD (public body for the development of La Défense)
- Joëlle Chauvin, real estate director, Aviva France
- Ben Sterling, head of European property funds, Morley (Aviva group)
- Olivier de Dampierre, President of Hines France
- Patrick Tondat, assistant head of EPAD
- Patrick Bosque, central director, Hines France
- Michel Leblanc, technical director of Aviva Property Management.
Main characteristics of the environmentally responsible tower:
- Area: 45,000m2 (net internal area used for offices)
- Number of storeys: 32
- Height: 166m in relation to the ring road, Courbevoie side.
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Press contacts:
Estelle Joubert
Telephone: 01 76 62 57 86
E-mail : estelle_joubert@aviva.fr
Laurent Gibert
Telephone: 01 76 62 73 00
E-mail : laurent_gibert@aviva.fr
Notes to editors:
Aviva's social responsibility in France
The construction of an environmentally responsible tower is part of Aviva's policy of social responsibility in France, which is intended to raise awareness and change behaviour as well as have a positive impact on professional ethics and business practices, social fairness and the environment.
About Aviva
Aviva is the top life and pensions insurer in Europe and occupies a strong position in other markets throughout the world, particularly in the United States. Aviva is involved in three main areas, life assurance and long-term savings, fund management and general insurance. As at 31 December 2006, Aviva achieved a turnover of €61.9 billion and its assets under management amounted to €543 billion, making it the 5th largest insurer worldwide based on gross premiums.
With more than 150 years' experience in France, Aviva is among the top ten players in the insurance market. Aviva France is distinguished by a balanced multidistribution model which has proved itself: 875 general agents, 1,800 agency staff, 400 life advisers, more than 1,000 brokers, and its partners (Union Financière de France and Médéric). Aviva France's partners also include AFER, the leading association of savers in France, and the Crédit du Nord Group. Specialising in unit-linked products, Aviva is well-known for the performance of its long-term funds and its strong commitment to its customers through its Good Advice approach. Aviva has more than 3,200 employees. As at 31 December 2006, Aviva France recorded a consolidated turnover of €6.4 billion, a consolidated operating profit of €689 million (based on intrinsic value - EEV/IFRS norms) and managed assets worth €72.9 billion.