ZAC de la Porte de Valenciennes

Lille, France

The consultation is part of the development of the Porte de Valenciennes mixed development zone (ZAC), and more specifically the second operational phase, the first of which is currently underway.

In particular, the aim is to take advantage of the site’s strategic position within the ZAC to establish a connection with the surrounding neighbourhoods. In addition, the demand for quality of use of the housing, the way in which they relate to each other and to the other elements of the programme, and the relationship of the planned buildings with the public space call for ambitious massing.

The consultation is part of the development of the Porte de Valenciennes mixed development zone (ZAC), and more specifically the second operational phase, the first of which is currently underway.
In particular, the aim is to take advantage of the site’s strategic position within the ZAC to establish a connection with the surrounding neighbourhoods. In addition, the demand for quality of use of the housing, the way in which they relate to each other and to the other elements of the programme, and the relationship of the planned buildings with the public space call for ambitious massing.

This project represents a new relationship between housing and its exterior.
Symbolising a new urban hedonism, the project offers a series of terraces, a veritable cascade of hanging gardens. It embodies the aspirations of city dwellers to have their own outdoor space, their “personal ground”, a distant reminiscence of the detached house. This project introduces a new way of living together based essentially on the generosity of private and collective outdoor spaces.

The project’s shared indoor and outdoor communal spaces are flexible.
Residents will be able to make them their own and use them for whatever purpose they wish: organising festive or cultural events, a winter kitchen, a greenhouse or vegetable garden, etc….

The buildings face the sun, as if they were heliotropic.
The urban form meets a number of contextual and environmental requirements, one of the most important of which is the orientation of the sun, which in this case is matched by unobstructed views. The whole is made up of a succession of terraces in tiers, set back to allow the sun to penetrate the interior of the block. The result of this work on form is an ensemble sculpted according to environmental requirements that contribute to a search for diversity.

The public space provides access to the residential units and links to an existing promenade.
It is a catalyst for a range of uses: passers-by, residents and cyclists all meet in this largely green space. It provides a means of crossing the site away from car traffic and reaching the Bois Habité district and its system of alleyways. This urban structure creates links to all the neighbourhoods surrounding the area and promotes genuine inter-neighbourhood connections.

Program
Construction of 236 social and ownership housing units + shops

Location
ZAC de la Porte de Valenciennes
Lille, France

Schedule 
Competition: 2012

Client
CIRMAD

Project management
Lead architect: Hamonic+Masson & Associés, associate architect: REDCAT Architecture

Floor Area
18 519 m²