Latest
issue
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Press releasesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
NEWS
Bjarke Ingels explains BIG's 'holistic' EuropaCity designs
POSTED 21 Mar 2016 . BY Kim Megson
Ingels explained how BIG’s design for EuropaCity will combine the qualities of an open landscape with streetscapes of different proportions Credit: BIG
Bjarke Ingels has shed more light on his designs for EuropaCity, the huge leisure development planned for the outskirts of Paris.

In a new video featuring Ingels in conversation with Italian architect Carlo Ratti, the BIG studio founder claims the project has given him the opportunity to “be as bold as the Parisians used to be when they made the Paris we know today.”

Ingels said the French capital “has been incredibly good at creating landmarks”, but EuropaCity will “create the notion of a city expanding and becoming more diverse - creating a Paris 2.0 that sets a new standard for what a city can be.”

EuropaCity will cover more than 80 acres (324,000sq m) and will include a selection of hotels, restaurants, theme parks, cultural sites, urban farmland, shopping centres and sports facilities which could host events at a potential Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The €3.1bn (US$3.5bn, £2.4bn) project – one of the largest ongoing leisure developments on the planet – has received major investment from Wanda, China’s largest private property developer.

In the video, Ingels explained how BIG’s design for EuropaCity will combine the qualities of an open landscape with streetscapes of different proportions, creating a horizontal landmark.

“The classic monument is about verticality and how many floors you can stack on top,” he said. “In EuropaCity we’ve tried to create a lively urban fabric that combines radically different streetscapes, both intimate and generous. Some roofscapes kiss the ground, others are tall and invaded by greenery.”

Public consultations about BIG’s masterplan will take place between March and June and the plans are expected to be finalised by 2017.


“This is a chance to think big and make big experiments,” said Ingels. “A city is more than just an accumulation of buildings. We are creating something at the scale of a neighbourhood in one holistic design.

“In 2024 when you arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport and look out the airplane, you will see an undulating green hybrid of landscape and architecture, like a piece of land art welcoming you to Paris.”

The city will feature a selection of hotels, restaurants, theme parks, cultural sites, urban farmland, shopping centres and sports facilities Credit: BIG
EuropaCity will cover more than 80 acres (324,000sq m) Credit: BIG
Peaceful green spaces will merge into leisure-filled urbanised districts Credit: BIG
Public consultations about BIG’s masterplan will take place between March and June and the plans are expected to be finalised by 2017 Credit: BIG
The 'holistic' design is centred around fun and engagement Credit: BIG
EuropaCity will include theme parks as part of its attractions offerings Credit: BIG
The €3.1bn (US$3.5bn, £2.4bn) project is one of the largest ongoing leisure developments on the planet Credit: BIG
RELATED STORIES
  EXCLUSIVE: Europa City will play a key role in Paris 2024 Olympic bid


The director of Europa City – one of the largest ongoing leisure developments on the continent – has told CLAD how the scheme can bolster the Paris bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
  Public consultations planned for Bjarke Ingels' Europa City


France’s National Commission for Public Debate will host a series of open discussions about the development of Bjarke Ingels’ EuropaCity masterplan; one of the largest ongoing leisure developments on the continent.
  Bjarke Ingels unveils Europa City masterplan


Bjarke Ingels, director of architecture practice BIG, has revealed his masterplan for France's Europa City – set to be one of the largest leisure developments in Europe over the next five years.
MORE NEWS
The Good Spa Guide sets up event for modified Good Spa Guide Awards
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House Hotel in St Albans, UK.
McKinsey: 84 per cent of consumers say wellness is a top priority
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of Wellness 2026 research report.
Protests continue in Albania against US$1.6 billion luxury resort backed by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Barons Eden rebrands to Hiddenwell ahead of spa hotel portfolio expansion
Barons Eden, the UK parent company that operates luxury destination properties in England, has rebranded to become Hiddenwell.
+ More news   

FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Longevity in spas: a strategic choice, not a default setting
Longevity has become one of the most debated concepts in contemporary wellness. [more...]

Introducing Glass Act by Templespa
Introducing Glass Act, your new go-to eye serum for brighter, smoother, beautifully awakened eyes. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Kemitron GmbH

Our portfolio is divided into four product areas; Technology, Fragrances, Disinfectant and Cleaners [more...]
G.M. Collin

G.M. Collin develops superior skin care products, from preventive care to combating the first signs [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

21-23 Jun 2026

Spa Life International (UK)

Midlands (Venue TBA), Liphook, United Kingdom
22-22 Jun 2026

World Bathing Day

Worldwide,
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
SPA BUSINESS
SPA OPPORTUNITIES
SPA BUSINESS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Bjarke Ingels explains BIG's 'holistic' EuropaCity designs
POSTED 21 Mar 2016 . BY Kim Megson
Ingels explained how BIG’s design for EuropaCity will combine the qualities of an open landscape with streetscapes of different proportions Credit: BIG
Bjarke Ingels has shed more light on his designs for EuropaCity, the huge leisure development planned for the outskirts of Paris.

In a new video featuring Ingels in conversation with Italian architect Carlo Ratti, the BIG studio founder claims the project has given him the opportunity to “be as bold as the Parisians used to be when they made the Paris we know today.”

Ingels said the French capital “has been incredibly good at creating landmarks”, but EuropaCity will “create the notion of a city expanding and becoming more diverse - creating a Paris 2.0 that sets a new standard for what a city can be.”

EuropaCity will cover more than 80 acres (324,000sq m) and will include a selection of hotels, restaurants, theme parks, cultural sites, urban farmland, shopping centres and sports facilities which could host events at a potential Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The €3.1bn (US$3.5bn, £2.4bn) project – one of the largest ongoing leisure developments on the planet – has received major investment from Wanda, China’s largest private property developer.

In the video, Ingels explained how BIG’s design for EuropaCity will combine the qualities of an open landscape with streetscapes of different proportions, creating a horizontal landmark.

“The classic monument is about verticality and how many floors you can stack on top,” he said. “In EuropaCity we’ve tried to create a lively urban fabric that combines radically different streetscapes, both intimate and generous. Some roofscapes kiss the ground, others are tall and invaded by greenery.”

Public consultations about BIG’s masterplan will take place between March and June and the plans are expected to be finalised by 2017.


“This is a chance to think big and make big experiments,” said Ingels. “A city is more than just an accumulation of buildings. We are creating something at the scale of a neighbourhood in one holistic design.

“In 2024 when you arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport and look out the airplane, you will see an undulating green hybrid of landscape and architecture, like a piece of land art welcoming you to Paris.”

The city will feature a selection of hotels, restaurants, theme parks, cultural sites, urban farmland, shopping centres and sports facilities Credit: BIG
EuropaCity will cover more than 80 acres (324,000sq m) Credit: BIG
Peaceful green spaces will merge into leisure-filled urbanised districts Credit: BIG
Public consultations about BIG’s masterplan will take place between March and June and the plans are expected to be finalised by 2017 Credit: BIG
The 'holistic' design is centred around fun and engagement Credit: BIG
EuropaCity will include theme parks as part of its attractions offerings Credit: BIG
The €3.1bn (US$3.5bn, £2.4bn) project is one of the largest ongoing leisure developments on the planet Credit: BIG
RELATED STORIES
EXCLUSIVE: Europa City will play a key role in Paris 2024 Olympic bid


The director of Europa City – one of the largest ongoing leisure developments on the continent – has told CLAD how the scheme can bolster the Paris bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Public consultations planned for Bjarke Ingels' Europa City


France’s National Commission for Public Debate will host a series of open discussions about the development of Bjarke Ingels’ EuropaCity masterplan; one of the largest ongoing leisure developments on the continent.
Bjarke Ingels unveils Europa City masterplan


Bjarke Ingels, director of architecture practice BIG, has revealed his masterplan for France's Europa City – set to be one of the largest leisure developments in Europe over the next five years.
MORE NEWS
The Good Spa Guide sets up event for modified Good Spa Guide Awards
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House Hotel in St Albans, UK.
McKinsey: 84 per cent of consumers say wellness is a top priority
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of Wellness 2026 research report.
Protests continue in Albania against US$1.6 billion luxury resort backed by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Barons Eden rebrands to Hiddenwell ahead of spa hotel portfolio expansion
Barons Eden, the UK parent company that operates luxury destination properties in England, has rebranded to become Hiddenwell.
Belgin Aksoy marks 15 years of Global Wellness Day
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities that spark joy.
HUM2N launches longevity clinic at Six Senses London
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Longevity in spas: a strategic choice, not a default setting
Longevity has become one of the most debated concepts in contemporary wellness. [more...]

Introducing Glass Act by Templespa
Introducing Glass Act, your new go-to eye serum for brighter, smoother, beautifully awakened eyes. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Kemitron GmbH

Our portfolio is divided into four product areas; Technology, Fragrances, Disinfectant and Cleaners [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

21-23 Jun 2026

Spa Life International (UK)

Midlands (Venue TBA), Liphook, United Kingdom
22-22 Jun 2026

World Bathing Day

Worldwide,
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS