LAN architecture wins urban regeneration competition in nantes

LAN architecture wins ‘urban regeneration’ competition in nantes
all images courtesy of LAN architecture

parisian firm, LAN architecture has won the competition to design a mixed use community of buildings that support various types of housing and dining facilities in nantes. the towers define an armature of voids aimed at ‘urban regeneration.’ as a tabula rasa, the site has unlimited points of entry, an urbanistic quality maximally used in the proposal. the design posits a place-making architecture, wherein several buildings carve into the void. each has its own tectonic and identifiable atmosphere created by the materiality, transparency, light and shadow. in the tradition of french social housing complexes, the program consists of affordable, student, social, and temporary (hotel) residences as well as schools, offices, and eateries. these volumes are placed along a central corridor that define a new pedestrian way and connect several gardens and courtyards designed by base landscape architecture. while the erstwhile paths of circulation are choreographed by the greenery, the staggered towers give occupants expansive views of the adjacent river and landscape below.

the project consists of a series of landscaped spaces defined by six unique volumes that create a mixed use community

 
(left): the vatel hotel stands proudly at the end of the pedestrian way
(right): the tower anchors the project on the nantes river

unifying the pedestrian space, ground floor facades are transparent, inviting a flow between indoor and outdoor spaces

towers provide impressive views of the landscape

the building arrangement defines thematic gardens and plazas, each with an individual character

squares become places to for rest and relaxation

LAN architecture has created a destination, a reason to cross the site, or the river

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project info:

program: vatel institute, free and social housing, student residence, offices.
location: nantes, france
timetable: 2013
client: kaufman & broad
cost: € 36,5 m (brossette block) – € 7.4 m (vatel hotel)
surface: 15 574 m²
phase: in progress
team: LAN (lead architect), base (landscape designer)