Lightwell, La Défense — Bringing back light into the heart of la Defense

Opened in March 2025 at the heart of La Défense, Lightwell marks a bold reinvention of Arkema's new headquarters. The project transformed a heavy, inward-looking office block into a bright, modern workplace, targeting both BREEAM Excellent and HQE Exceptionnel certifications through transparent facades and an exposed steel framework.

To protect the visible steelwork against corrosion and fire while preserving a clean architectural finish, Hempel co-developed with Arkema a tailored coating system built around intumescent technology. In the event of fire, the intumescent layer expands to form an insulating barrier, shielding the steel structure for up to 90 minutes and giving occupants critical time to evacuate safely.

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