Compressed Air Factory, Industrial factory in 13th arrondissement of Paris, France.
The factory comprises four parallel naves with a main hall of red brick along the Panhard-et-Levassor quay. The structure includes spacious courtyards and work areas that now serve as teaching spaces within the Campus des Grands Moulins.
Built in 1891, the facility was designed to generate and distribute compressed air for the expanding city. It remained operational until 1994 before transitioning to educational use.
Today it hosts the National School of Architecture, bringing students and faculty through its spaces daily. The building has transformed from serving industry into a place where future architects learn and work.
The building is part of a large campus and best explored on foot, allowing views of the red brick facades from outside. As an active school, expect restrictions on free access and check conditions beforehand.
For decades, the facility powered public transportation systems, street clocks, and countless craft workshops across Paris through a network of air pipes. This distribution method was a remarkable engineering solution for an expanding city.
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