© Stéphane Chalmeau

Architect: Fabrice Dusapin, architectes, urbanistes
Location: Ile de Nantes, Nantes, France
Client: PROMOGIM
Site area: 6,205 sqm
Built area: 11,800 sqm
Project year: 2010
Photographs: Stéphane Chalmeau

Designed by architect Fabrice Dusapin, this project complements the diversity of urban “quai François Mitterrand”, proposing building height and volumetric very different in rehabilitating an old house and constructing a residential building which includes the volumes of shed that existed. This large parcel now offers plots and alleys to leverage the views and access to the Loire.

floor plan

The project consists of four sets, the “maisons de ville”, the “Ateliers”, the “Central” and “Building”, which fit around a landscaped plaza that marks the heart of all and two footpaths provide a link between the platform and the street “Magin” and allow transparency to the visual stream.

The 6 « maisons de ville »

They share a common ground floor with the Central and together with him a single entity and are based on the profile of the former hangar permeability North-South Site. The ground floor consists of an entrance and a multipurpose room and the level of reference to R 1, is placed in the base receiving the car. These homes offer space day crossing on 2 levels (R 1 / R 2), with permeability street and indoor gardens with private terraces.

© Stéphane Chalmeau

The “Central” and its base ground floor planted

3 blocks of 7 levels with duplexes are organized on a common body linear three levels, Wharf Street “Magin”. All accommodations are double direction, at least.

• The plot dockside consists of 3 rooms open on the Loire.
• The central plot, a set of overflow door overhang, each apartment offers views over the Loire.
• The plot to the street line “Magin” offers a diversity of views, including the Loire, from its location at an angle to the device.

© Stéphane Chalmeau

Most homes have thus both views on the Loire and a good natural sunlight. The ground floor consists of the halls of local activities towards B and trade on the platform, plus a portion of parking.

“The Building” and making up his garden in the ground

© Stéphane Chalmeau

At the center of the device, its geometry is the result of the inflection of the quay at this level, and tapered path roads B and C. Based in the alignment of the pier, it offers a vast garden in the ground, heart block, which thus contribute to public space. It consists of 2 buildings (R 9 and R 6 duplexes) located so as to provide views on the Loire in each dwelling. At each current level, 3 units organized around a gallery of movement, and offering a caesura-through and a patio that identifies 2 buildings: one with R 9 to the east, in connection with the Palais de Justice, the other R 6 duplexes to the west, in relationship with the Central level.

The “Ateliers” and the courtyard open to the Loire

© Stéphane Chalmeau

This is an identical reproduction of the existing volume preserved in its 3 dimensions, with the exception of the creation of a courtyard garden inside, allowing the organization U housing. The typical character of the existing hangar is maintained through the use of materials constituting the envelope of the current warehouse: foundation concrete formwork in gross board, clapboard facades of wood, accordion shutters and wood green roof. Housing (2 or 3 pieces) is served by 4 open stairwells, covered and ties between street and garden. The ground floor consists of homes along the path C and a car park accessible from the street Magin. This foundation receives and the garden planted on 80 cm of ground. All the ground level apartments have at least a double orientation. The accommodations on “Arthur III” street have distant views across the courtyard of the Palais de Justice.