The Nest, a green tomorrow in Luxembourg city

We’re all familiar with the traditional office: mainly a functional building stripped of unnecessary embellishments. The project The Nest, which will begin in the second half of this year in the rapidly developing district of La Cloche d’Or in the south of Luxembourg City, shows that things can be very different. Here, the focus is not only on creating a pleasant and caring environment, but also on giving maximum attention to the fauna and flora that have long been pushed outside the city limits.

Inviting nature into the city
You could literally call The Nest a thoughtful approach to the tomorrow. This office project, designed by Assar Architects together with Maison Edouard François from Paris and commissioned by Eaglestone Luxembourg, stands out primarily for the way it invites nature back into the city. Or better said: how it restores nature’s place within the urban environment.

“The latter is one of the key ideas behind The Nest office project”, the architects explain. “In this case, it’s about more than just another office building with the usual services. The Nest is meant to embody the developer’s ambition. This developer explicitly aims to create the city of tomorrow, including with this building in La Cloche d’Or - a district that is undergoing major transformation, where sustainable mobility and the integration of greenery are not empty concepts. The goal is to create a place where work and well-being exist in harmonious balance. The choice for La Cloche d’Or is no coincidence. This is where a true urban district is being built - a place where it is pleasant to live, work, spend time, shop, and relax. La Cloche d’Or aims to be nothing less than a symbol of New Urban Living in Luxembourg, offering residents and users an exceptional quality of life.”

Regenerating local fauna on an urban scale

When looking at the project, the first thing that stands out is how the surrounding vegetation on the building volume is native and carefully selected to be perfectly adapted, rich, and dense. It has been designed in such a way that local fauna can be regenerated on an urban scale, allowing it to develop sustainably. Strategically placed wooden and stone stacks, as well as nesting boxes, can be seen everywhere, attracting insects, birds, and small mammals. This microcosm - often pushed out of its natural habitat - should be able to reestablish itself, find a new balance, and organize in perfect symbiosis.

Particularly intriguing is the 900 m² atrium within the office building, part of the more than 10,000 m² of available space. It seems to be the beating heart of the entire complex and is adorned with acclimatized plants. On the ground floor, there is a garden that occupies the space while simultaneously bringing life to the building’s shared functions. Here, we find a restaurant, fitness center, auditorium, and conference and training rooms. Paths accompanied by matching furniture allow employees and visitors to take a moment, recharge, and immerse themselves in this natural environment.

“We wanted a modest construction - there is no place for extravagance here. Through predominantly grey façades, consisting of gabion cages filled with aggregates sourced from demolition and reuse sectors, The Nest is meant to appear as a natural fortress. The windows are punctual and rhythmic, and here and there a door opens onto a balcony. The enclosure is broken at only one point: the main entrance, which resembles a crack in this thick shell. Once inside the lobby, the tone is set by natural, low‑carbon materials (wood) and recycled materials. These latter elements convey the brand image, with marble recovered from prestigious nearby locations. That is the goal: to explore demolition sites in the area and give these carefully selected elements a second life.”

In the introduction, we already hinted at it: offices today are no longer solely places where work is carried out. Users must also feel comfortable and have enriching experiences. While the forest surrounding The Nest sets the tone, the planted “interior landscape” serves as the ultimate meeting point. Terraces, a barista, and walking paths all act as gathering spots for organizing meetings, discussions, or workshops - all in perfect harmony with values focused on well‑being and human development. The central space offers a rich, natural environment and a high quality of life.

Five floors of office spaces around an atrium

Finally, let us note that the five floors of office space, along with the various service and recreational functions, are arranged around a light‑filled, sheltered atrium built entirely out of wood. The atmosphere here is calming. The main access points are formed by a series of wooden walkways, offering varied views of a lush canopy. Each passage invites escape and discovery - an effective way to recharge.

All of this aims to offer users a workspace on a human scale. To reinforce this feeling, artisanal elements were intentionally incorporated. Essential components were crafted by artisans, such as the main lighting in the entrance hall, the woven reed cladding around the ventilation ducts in the atrium, and other vintage furniture that has been purchased and restored. Breaking stereotypes and industrialization is meant to spark surprise and give each place a unique identity that you will be eager to explore. The washbasins in the sanitary facilities, carved from recycled marble slabs, are just one small example of this approach.