Sous-préfecture de Seine-Saint-Denis

The former Banque de France building is reconfigured to accommodate the Sous-préfecture de Saint-Denis, the Departmental Unit for Architecture and Heritage (UDAP), and dedicated archival storage for the Seine-Saint-Denis departmental archives, consolidating administrative, heritage and conservation functions within a single, reconfigured civic complex.

While respecting the heritage character of the site and preserving its spatial qualities, material integrity and historic atmosphere, the town hall renovation redefines the operational framework of public services. The intervention by the civic architect enhances visitor reception through clearer spatial legibility and dedicated entry sequences, rationalizes circulation flows to improve wayfinding and security, and upgrades working environments to ensure improved comfort, functionality, as well as efficiency for staff.

The heritage building renovation articulates public counters and the main waiting hall beneath the glazed roof structure, consolidating reception functions within a clear, daylit central volume. The town hall renovation designed by the civic architect as a flexible, open-plan space, the hall accommodates evolving uses and can be readily reconfigured to host events, public gatherings and institutional functions.

Externally, the civic architect reworks the gates, entrances and paved courtyard in the town hall renovation to enhance security and improve universal accessibility. The formal character of the former Banque de France is preserved; the original gilded lettering is carefully removed and reinstated under the name of the sub-prefecture, marking the building’s new civic function.