Photographing the CNIT and La Défense’s Towers – Modern Heritage and Urban Power

25 June 2019 – Categorie: Architecture – Sebastien Desnoulez

How do you photograph a space that bridges past and future? The CNIT and the surrounding towers embody La Défense’s ongoing evolution—between technical mastery and architectural ambition.

At the entrance of La Défense, the CNIT (Centre of New Industries and Technologies) stands out with its spectacular curved concrete vault—a true technical and aesthetic feat. Designed in 1958 by architects Robert Camelot, Jean de Mailly, and Bernard Zehrfuss, it has become a landmark of Paris’s business district. Its triangular shape and column-free concrete framework make it a pioneering structure in the history of modern architecture.

In this photograph, the CNIT’s flowing elegance contrasts with the vertical rigidity of the surrounding towers: the Areva Tower (formerly Fiat), easily recognized by its black façade; the monumental Cœur Défense Tower; the EDF Tower with its curved frontage; and the Trinity Tower, seen under construction. Together, these buildings create a futuristic skyline—symbol of the economic and architectural strength of Europe’s largest business district.

See more photographs of La Défense’s evolving skyline

The CNIT has undergone multiple transformations over the decades and is now a hybrid space combining offices, shops, hotels, and event venues. It reflects La Défense’s ability to reinvent itself while preserving its architectural heritage.

This image captures the balance between architectural history and radical modernity. It invites viewers to rediscover La Défense through a graphic, almost cinematic lens, where light, lines, and volumes come together in a powerful composition.

About the photographer: Sebastien Desnoulez is a contemporary and urban architectural photographer. He documents the evolution of La Défense by highlighting the dialogue between historical structures and futuristic design. Learn more.

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