Unusual Architecture + Urban Design

Nantes, Francia: [URBAN REGENERATION BY LAN ARCHITECTURE]
Urban regeneration by LAN Architecture

The most interesting and eye-opening feature of the Brossette parcel, with its porous urban space, is its ability to be crossed.

Urban regeneration by LAN Architecture

In this, the success of this project resides in how to leverage and amplify this exceptional condition. In response to «Why cross this parcel?».

Urban regeneration by LAN Architecture

We must construct an answer which can be adopted by the community. This response can only be found within the site programming and the definition of these spaces.

Urban regeneration by LAN Architecture

The challenge lies more within the definition of voids rather than volumes. Once these are in place, we have sought to establish permanencies, to activate spaces, and to polarize their uses. Comprised of free, affordable, social, and student housing, schools, offices, a café, etc. The program is divided into different blocks dotting the parcel.

Urban regeneration by LAN Architecture

The definition of each of these spaces is designed to meet programmatic requirements and the association of a specific characteristic to each place, in volumetric (size, proportions) and atmospheric terms (light, shadow, materiality, perception).

Urban regeneration by LAN Architecture

The result is a hybrid approach that establishes almost spontaneously the identity of these places. The whole forms a completely new pedestrian area, with different themed gardens, which communicate with the architecture.

Urban regeneration by LAN Architecture

The idea is to create a vast and unitary public space, which crosses through the whole site. This connects the different buildings with one another, and connects the land with its environment.

Urban regeneration by LAN Architecture

The spatial organization then follows suit differently based on a system of gardens, addressing different styles of users, by providing different services.

Urban regeneration by LAN Architecture
Urban regeneration by LAN Architecture
Urban regeneration by LAN Architecture
Urban regeneration by LAN Architecture

Location: Nantes, France

Architect: LAN Architecture
Project Team: LAN (lead architect), Base (landscape designer)
Surface: 15 574 m²
Cost: € 36,5 M (Brossette Block) - € 7.4 M (Vatel Hotel)
Year: 2013
Client: Kaufman & Broad