La Defense Projet Phare

La Défense is emblematic of the unreserved openness of the French towards modernity, as well as their current perplexity towards its result. La Tour Phare, or the lighthouse tower, competition is representative of this: as the name suggests its function is to act as an icon, yet it will be launched from a base which is almost nonexistent. Another challenge is the division of the site into two sections allowing the passage of the pedestrian walkway Passerelle de l'Arche.