Biotope: future head office for the EMA in Lille?

Since the British vote in favour of Brexit, the European Medicines Agency has been preparing to move from London, where it has been established since 1995. Some twenty major European cities such as Amsterdam, Milan, Barcelona, Copenhagen and Stockholm are competing to become the new host of this prestigious institution, which is responsible for assessing, approving and regulating the marketing of medicines in Europe. Last April, Lille was selected as the candidate to support the French bid.

Biotope, tailor-made building for EAM

The City of Lille and the Lille European Metropolis (MEL) chose the Biotope project to embody the property development part of the French proposal: an iconic, tailor-made building, perfectly suited to the needs of the 890 agents and 3,700 experts of the EMA.

The consortium designed the programme as a natural living space. A biotope is a geographically delimited environment in which the ecological conditions are perfectly suited to the needs of the living creatures residing there, forming an ecosystem that continuously interrelates with the neighbouring environments. Through this identity, the team wanted to express the usage quality, well-being and openness of the project with respect to its environment and the city.

With its 30,000 m² of offices and meeting rooms, atrium, 300-seat auditorium, panoramic restaurant, bilingual creche and 300 parking spaces, the building offers all the features required by the EMA’s activities. The abundant natural light, the spacious, comfortable work spaces, the indoor and outdoor green relaxation areas and the bioclimatic design will contribute to its employees’ well-being. Flexible and modular, it will easily be able to adapt to changing needs. An optional 180-room 4* hotel programme completes the package.
An exceptional building, with exceptional deadlines. If Lille is selected, the EMA will be able to move in as early as March 2019. The host city will be designated by the end of the year, after consultation between member countries.
“The consortium led by Bouygues Construction met our three criteria perfectly, namely construction lead times, multifunctionality and architecture.” Damien Castelain, Chairman of the Lille European Metropolis (MEL).