Cachan, France
Under studies
Cachan Pluriels Ecodistrict
This new district of Cachan was developed around the new railway station which serves the greater Paris high-speed network currently being completed. This involved designing half the buildings constituting this new district and coordinating, according to a shared ethical code and philosophy, the work of a team of three architects associated with the project and in charge of the other half.
Client
Architects
Program
Area
Planning
Client
BNP Paribas Real Estate
SPIE Batignolles Immobilier
CEPROM
Architects
Valode & Pistre
(coordination)
Hamonic & Masson
Forall Studio
Debresse Delplanque Dupas architects
Program
New mixed-use complex around the future Arcueil-Cachan station (part of the Grand Paris Express transit network) including residential area, offices, retail, services, hotel.
Area
30,500 m²
Planning
Competition won
2022
Under studies
Three key objectives guided the design of this railway district after a consultation with the inhabitants of Cachan:
• Variety and diversity in architectural composition, use of volume, use of materials and colours. In this way, a lively and joyful district was designed, in which people feel like stopping, where people are surprised and where emotions are elicited.
• An environmentally exemplary design in which every solution implemented has the twin aims of ensuring energy efficiency and low carbon emissions; while at the same time ensuring comfort, convenience and pleasure for residents. All solutions implemented – planted balconies, terraces and roofs, claustra and external planting – provide shade and coolness in summer, privacy for people’s homes, and outdoor spaces which extend the residential buildings and restore a close relationship with nature. The shared gardens and vegetable gardens have a positive impact on residents’ way of life.
Lastly, the project is anything but a finished product. It was designed to evolve over time. The reversibility of offices to living accommodation, colonisation of car parks and reconfiguration of businesses and shops make this a living, evolving district without altering the buildings’ structure and envelopes. The friendly atmosphere encourages get-togethers, and life in this urban setting has been enriched by the creation of a central square: a village square, embellished with a large emblematic tree and side porticos which provide protection from rain or sun, depending on the season. The many activities offered ensure a lively urban life based around the village square, the market and the railway station.
• Variety and diversity in architectural composition, use of volume, use of materials and colours. In this way, a lively and joyful district was designed, in which people feel like stopping, where people are surprised and where emotions are elicited.
• An environmentally exemplary design in which every solution implemented has the twin aims of ensuring energy efficiency and low carbon emissions; while at the same time ensuring comfort, convenience and pleasure for residents. All solutions implemented – planted balconies, terraces and roofs, claustra and external planting – provide shade and coolness in summer, privacy for people’s homes, and outdoor spaces which extend the residential buildings and restore a close relationship with nature. The shared gardens and vegetable gardens have a positive impact on residents’ way of life.
Lastly, the project is anything but a finished product. It was designed to evolve over time. The reversibility of offices to living accommodation, colonisation of car parks and reconfiguration of businesses and shops make this a living, evolving district without altering the buildings’ structure and envelopes. The friendly atmosphere encourages get-togethers, and life in this urban setting has been enriched by the creation of a central square: a village square, embellished with a large emblematic tree and side porticos which provide protection from rain or sun, depending on the season. The many activities offered ensure a lively urban life based around the village square, the market and the railway station.
Jeddah City Mall