Maintenance and Storage Center T9 Tramway by Ferrier Marchetti Studio: A Modern Landmark in Orly, France

The Maintenance and Storage Center (SMR) for the T9 Tramway in Orly, designed by Ferrier Marchetti Studio, stands as a striking example of contemporary industrial architecture seamlessly integrated into the urban landscape of Greater Paris. This 10,350 m² facility exemplifies how technical infrastructure can become a symbol of modernity while enhancing the city’s ecological and social environment.

Designing Mobility with a Human Perspective

Ferrier Marchetti Studio emphasizes the relationship between the human body and urban movement. The T9 Maintenance Center goes beyond being a functional tramway facility—it redefines how people experience mobility and public space. The design creates dynamic sensory sequences, promoting a rediscovered legibility of the urban landscape and celebrating the rhythm of city life.

Located in Orly’s suburban area, the center is a key urban actor. The tramway runs every four to five minutes, transporting 70,000 to 80,000 passengers daily, making the facility a visible urban spectacle, even at night. This scenography of urban activity highlights the role of infrastructure as part of the city’s visual and social fabric.

Integration of Landscape and Architecture

The SMR sits at the confluence of railroads in the Seine Valley, a sensitive ecological area rich in woodlands, wetlands, and natural habitats. The architects approached the project not as a standalone industrial site but as a landscape-integrated infrastructure, ensuring a seamless connection between nature, architecture, and urbanity.

Surrounding the technical areas are carefully designed green spaces, planted alleys, and gardens, providing visual relief and recreational areas for employees and visitors. This thoughtful integration of landscape and architecture ensures that the facility contributes positively to both the ecological and social environment.

Industrial Architecture as Urban Landmark

A hallmark of Ferrier Marchetti Studio’s approach is the aesthetics of utility. The center’s pleated roof, reminiscent of 19th-century industrial buildings, accommodates multiple hangars with large bay windows, maximizing natural light and energy efficiency. The scale and design of the facility celebrate industrial architecture as an urban landmark, where functionality and architectural beauty coexist harmoniously.

The site’s architecture carefully juxtaposes three main elements: the tramway vehicles, the designed buildings, and the platform with rails and technical equipment. The result is a coherent and elegant industrial landscape where materials are celebrated in their true form, and natural light reinforces the visual connection between spaces.

Inside the center, the design blurs the line between architecture and engineering. Every detail, from structural elements to operational components, reflects a holistic design philosophy. Employees experience a workspace that is both functional and inspiring—a palace of the tramway rather than a mere maintenance facility.

Excellence in Public Infrastructure

The T9 Maintenance Center highlights the importance of public investment in urban infrastructure. The project demonstrates how public clients, architects, and engineers can collaborate to create facilities that prioritize durability, comfort, and spatial generosity without compromising operational efficiency. Patios, gardens, and generous workspaces exemplify a human-centered approach rarely seen in industrial projects.

The SMR is not only a functional hub for the T9 tramway—it is a cultural and architectural landmark that sets a new standard for the integration of industrial infrastructure within the urban and ecological context of Greater Paris.

All photographs are works of Luc Boegly