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A showcase for the prestige, the success and the dynamism of France, La Défense must become a laboratory for all the bold innovation and architectural ambition that have for too long been absent in our country.

The enthusiasm of investors, the boldness of property developers and the talent of the large architectural fi rms is united in the plan for renovating Europe’s prime business district.

To symbolise this “new La Défense”, Nicolas Sarkozy wanted a Tour Signal, a monument symbolic of the third millennium, remarkable in its architecture, innovative in the diversity of its use and an indisputable reference in matters of sustainable development.

More than thirty teams responded to the call for projects launched by EPAD in July 2007. They brought together the greatest architects and the most dynamic investors from all over the world.

The quality of the proposals did not facilitate the work of the jury that I had the honour and the pleasure of chairing, but it does ensure that, after the CNIT and the Grande Arche, a signifi cant mark will be made on the landscape and history of La Défense.

Patrick DEVEDJIAN
President of the EPAD