The ETRATON building, a landmark symbolizing the expansion of Tunisian cities and one of the earliest commercial districts in Tunisia, is undergoing a comprehensive transformation. Thirty years after its original construction, ARK Architecture has redesigned the structure, carefully preserving some of its unique historical features while restoring its role as a prominent city landmark along a major road in the capital.
The ground floor serves as a double-decker car showroom that emphasizes the sculptural character of the original staircase. The upper floors are dedicated to office spaces. Special attention was given to the building’s corner entrance, designed to resemble sharply lifted stage curtains, creating a dramatic play of light and scenery.
ETRATON’s exterior appears as a glass veil, designed for high solar and thermal performance, giving the building a vibrant and unique presence. The glass panel selection was the result of extensive research prioritizing technology, efficiency, and aesthetics to achieve a neutral, colorless, and highly reflective façade.
Two types of prisms adorn the exterior walls at varying heights, creating subtle shifts in volume. These changes, combined with the characteristics of the materials, produce an engaging surface of reflections and shadows, highlighting the building’s responsiveness to sunlight and the surrounding environment.
Small variations throughout the design offer diverse interpretations, breaking the monotony often found in urban environments. These details catch the attention of passing drivers, interacting with the flow of traffic. The decision to wrap this urban cluster in glass invites people to reconnect with natural elements, particularly the sky—a vast canvas of shifting colors that ETRATON beautifully reflects amidst the city’s hustle and bustle.
As daylight fades and interior lights come on, the building’s connection to nature and its opaque exterior gradually transform. The architecture reveals depth, becoming porous, transparent, and luminous. Thanks to an open floor plan, occupants enjoy panoramic views of the urban landscape and a high-quality workspace that harmonizes with modern life and natural elements, allowing for flexible and free-flowing activity.
The expansive floor areas offer users versatile spatial organization options tailored to their company’s evolving dynamics and culture.
ETRATON stands as a witness to its era, its glazed façade acting as the boundary between two worlds — the interior and exterior — both of which vividly symbolize urban life, its rhythm, and ongoing evolution.
Project Drawings
△ Plan View
△ Structural Detail Drawing
Project Information
Architect: ARK Architecture
Area: 2,000 m²
Project Year: 2022
Photographer: Bilel Khemakhem
Manufacturers: AGC, Samsung, TPR ALUMINIUM
Lead Architect: Bilel Khemakhem
Design Team: Sobhi Jabal, Mhammed Alila, Ons Larguech
Technical Details: Ghiath Chaar
Architectural Design: ARK Architecture
Location: Tunisia
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