vincent callebaut's 'archiborescence' seeks to harmonize the city and countryside in france

vincent callebaut architectures (VCA) proposes ‘archiborescence,’ a new urban ecosystem in lilles, france. taking its name as a neologism — combining architecture and arborescence — the name expresses the team’s architectural thesis of ‘transforming the city into an ecosystem, neighborhoods into forests and buildings into inhabited trees’. the multipurpose work will host offices and residences and takes inspiration from the local bio-mimetic heritage, ‘les anciens marais vauban-esquermes’ or the ‘ancient marshes of vauban-esquermes.’ this ecosystem produces its own energy by photosynthesis, emitted no pollution, and transformed all its waste into resources.

images courtesy of vincent callebaut architectures (VCA)

influenced by natural marshes, vincent callebaut architectures’ ‘archiborescence’ seeks to introduce a district in solid wood with a strong green and aquatic character. the area proposes to recall the memory of this ecosystem and its positive biodiversity. the design team aims to offer lille both a green and blue landmark within its urban context. with its dynamic thermal simulation (DTS), the performance of the bio-based materials implemented, as well as the bioclimatic design choices and the integration of renewable energies.

vincent callebaut architectures seeks to realize its ‘archiborescence’ with a neutral carbon footprint. the area will produce more energy than it consumes on a regular basis, even during phases of low renewable energy production. the team plans to develop low technology for exchanging energy flow between offices and homes. as demonstrated by the dynamic thermal simulation (DTS), the energy requirements of these two programs makes it possible to cover the needs across a typical day — the energy accumulated in offices at the end of the day being recycled during the night in residences.

designing its ‘archiborescence,’ vincent callebaut architectures works toward a low-carbon city through five pillars. the city will comprise a permeable urban design to make the district accessible to everyone and transform it into a destination. multifunctional programming will be led by architectures with distinct identities and high-quality practices. the renovated and reconstructed district will be constructed primarily of cross-laminated timber. the project will be defined by arborescent architecture, an ode to biodiversity. passive buildings will be allied with renewable energies, aiming toward self-sufficiency.

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project info:

project title: archiborescence

architecture: vincent callebaut architectures

location: site of the former lycée michel servet, lille, france

real estate developer: BECI+ BECITY group

type: renovation + reconstruction

program: home ownership, social housing, co-living hotel residence, shops, co-working offices, research laboratories, sports facilities, urban farm

environmental studies office: polyexpert environnement

landscaping: land’act

wood structure studies office: ingébois

partners: l’hirondelle, vertical’art, yncréa, arrow, terre de ch’ti, the babel community

land surface area: 14,465 square meters (155,700 square feet)

environmental labels: E + C (level E4) + NF habitat + BREAAM refurbishment + biodiversity + PEFC

status: proposal