sou fujimoto + laisné roussel propose vegetated towers for bordeaux euratlantique

sou fujimoto + laisné roussel propose vegetated towers for bordeaux euratlantique
rendering by tamas fisher / all images © sou fujimoto architects + laisné roussel

euratlantique is a vast 800,000 square meter-masterplan centered around bordeaux’s saint-jean railway station. the program was created in light of a new high speed train connection with paris, and seeks to establish bordeaux as a leading european city. as part of the development, sou fujimoto has teamed up with french practice laisné roussel to propose a series of timber towers that climb to a total height of 50 meters. titled ‘canopia’, the mixed-use scheme includes residential units, offices, and retail outlets.

the proposed tower climbs to a total height of 50 meters
rendering by tamas fisher

measuring 17,000 square meters, the project comprises four towers each densely populated with trees and other vegetation. commercial space is housed at lower levels, with apartments stacked above. private balconies become larger as the building ascends, providing more room for greenery and plantation. this culminates in four rooftop gardens, each with their own distinct atmosphere. the terraces are connected with the remainder of the scheme horizontally, as well as vertically, allowing users to navigate between gardens and towers.

the mixed-use scheme includes residential units, offices, and retail outlets
rendering by morph

‘what sets this project apart is the proposal for a collection of themed rooftop gardens connected by walkways,’ explains the design team. ‘particular attention has been paid to delivering quality shared spaces, both on the fringes of the site with the terrace gardens, or at the heart of the development with the green oasis.’ residents are thus given access to a series of gardens: an agricultural space with vegetable allotments, fruit trees, vines, a compost area, water reservoirs, a winter garden, a terrace for the restaurant, and a rooftop playground. the wooden frame is constructed from silver fir or spruce beams and posts, with floors made from cross-laminated timber. glulam bars are incorporated into the frame to help stabilize the tower.

the scheme is densely populated with trees and other vegetation
rendering by morph

apartments offer inhabitants at least one private balcony — many include more — or even an external terrace that wraps around the entirety of the residence. at ground level, a park sits at the center of the scheme, encouraging pedestrian movement across the site. this configuration is also an attempt to ensure that the development exists comfortably within its context, attracting passersby from the adjacent tram stop. 

private balconies become larger as the building ascends
rendering by morph

restaurant and dining space
rendering by morph

four rooftop gardens are connected horizontally
rendering by morph

the upper levels provide sweeping views across the city
rendering by tamas fisher

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project info:

client: pitch promotion
architects: laisné roussel and sou fujimoto architects
team: marie de france, victor deplus, amandine quillent, mathias aguilar, augustin caradec
environmental engineering: le sommer environnement
landscape designer: etablissement
wood constructor: mathis
perspectives: tamas fisher, morph
physical model: jean-louis courtois
surface: 17,000 sqm
status: competition 2016

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