sou fujimoto to construct 'second architectural folly of the 21st century'

sou fujimoto has been chosen to construct the ‘second architectural folly of the 21st century’ in montpellier, france. the winning multidisciplinary team also includes french practices nicolas laisné associés (NL*A) and manal rachdi oxo architects. the 17-storey mixed-use tower will accommodate residential units, office space, an art gallery, restaurant and a panoramic bar. 

the 17-storey mixed-use tower will accommodate residential units, office space and an art gallery
image © sou fujimoto architects + NL*A + OXO architects / rendering by RSI-studio (also main image)

a cross-cultural endeavor, the scheme embodies today’s montpellier, with an integration of japanese and mediterranean styles. the structure is strategically located between the city center and the newly developed districts of port marianne and odysseum, midway between the old and new districts of the town. for designboom’s coverage of the first ‘architectural folly of the 21st century’ by farshid moussavi, see here.

the scheme’s various branches also provide selected areas of shade for adjacent properties
image © sou fujimoto architects + NL*A + OXO architects / rendering by RSI-studio

named the ‘white tree’, or ‘arbre blanc’, the 10,000 square meter structure grows organically out of the ground, with a natural form that appears to have been sculpted over time. the scheme’s various branches also provide selected areas of shade for adjacent properties. each of the highrise’s residents will select a preferred floor plan from a list of possible layouts, encouraging ‘free choice architecture’ with a series of modular spaces.

each of the highrise’s residents will select a preferred floor plan from a list of possible layouts
image © sou fujimoto architects + NL*A + OXO architects / rendering by RSI-studio

dominating the skyline, the building features dense yet permeable peripheries where divisions between internal and external space are blurred. influenced by the city’s fondness for outdoor living, balconies gravitate toward the exterior, like leaves fanning out to absorb sunlight. a generous provision of vegetation sees hanging gardens, plants and trees positioned throughout the residential units, imagined as a vertical garden. the tower devises passive strategies throughout its design in order to ensure a comfortable and livable environment that feeds off locally available resources.

the 10,000 square meter structure grows organically out of the ground
image © sou fujimoto architects + NL*A + OXO architects

offering a diverse range of programs, the tower welcomes montpellier’s residents and visitors with a ground floor restaurant and art gallery and a penthouse bar that provides panoramic views across the ocean and neighboring mountain range.

a restaurant located at the ground floor of the tower
image © sou fujimoto architects + NL*A + OXO architects

vegetation is found throughout the design
image © sou fujimoto architects + NL*A + OXO architects

the ‘white tree’ is strategically located between the city center and the region’s newly developed districts
image © sou fujimoto architects + NL*A + OXO architects / rendering by RSI-studio

1/28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

project info:

type: closed competition
architect teams: sou fujimoto architects + nicolas laisne associes + manal rachdi oxo architects
development: promeo patrimoine, gilbert ganivenq, cyrill meynadier, evolis promotion, francis lamazère, alain gillet
surface area: 10,225 sqm
location: montpellier, france
status: winner
project teams:
sou fujimoto architects (tokyo, japan) – partner: sou fujimoto, architect in charge: marie de france
nicolas laisne associes (paris, france) – partners: nicolas laisné, dimitri roussel, architect in charge: lucile nicosia
manal rachdi oxo architects (paris, france) – partner: manal rachdi, architect in charge: vincent imfeld
structural engineer: andre verdier (montpellier, france)
design and environmental engineering: frank boutté consultants (paris, france)
landscaping: bassinet turquin paysage (paris, france)
lighting designer: odile soudant (paris, france)
inspections: socotec (montpellier, france), casso & associes (paris, france)
perspective: RSI-studio, manal rachdi oxo architectes. nicolas laisné associés

Save

Save

Save