Urban Campus
The project to establish a higher education hub takes place on a school site already hosting several institutions. These have been added over time without an overarching plan, so the architectural approach to the project is accompanied by an urban and environmental strategy for organizing the site. This includes proposing green, permeable areas and sports facilities arranged around a pedestrian green axis, rethinking how all the buildings are distributed. Prioritizing sustainable transportation methods helps reduce reliance on cars.
Integrating the campus with the urban fabric.
The site, once an agricultural plot adjacent to Branchoire Park, has been urbanized in patches since the late 1980s, resulting in a diverse mix of buildings. Within the neighborhood, you'll find apartment blocks alongside houses, and school buildings next to the Jean Perrin industrial zone. This diverse character extends to the plot occupied by the school group. Each building, designed as an independent structure, follows its own logic and architectural style. The leftover spaces between the buildings lack a defined purpose and structure, resembling transitional areas.
The integration of the campus into the urban environment is a fundamental element of the project. The idea of a city-based campus, integrated with the surrounding urban area, is viewed as a sustainable solution. It offers students increased dynamism and improved daily accessibility. Additionally, this model benefits the school group by enabling it to reach a wider audience.
Linking the campus to the city of Chambray-lès-Tours, its cycling infrastructure, its forthcoming tramway, and restricting parking availability are key objectives of the urban project. The design includes the establishment of a lively, green axis connecting the different educational hubs within the site. This pedestrian-friendly pathway not only reduces soil sealing but also introduces new functions tailored to specific locations or user groups.
The design of the higher education facility aims to integrate seamlessly with the proposed urban development. Rather than presenting a linear arrangement of classrooms with a central entrance hall, the project prioritizes the organization of program-specific blocks. These blocks, designed for each field of study, foster collaborative work within intermediate spaces. The strategic spacing between these hubs also facilitates fluid circulation that harmonizes with the overall campus layout.
The reconsideration of the program's capacity to establish educational hubs is crucial for designing an urban building. While maintaining the defined surface area and requirements, focus is placed on its organization and the necessary volumes for each function. By offsetting the programmatic blocks from one another, outdoor spaces are allocated for each academic discipline. These areas are landscaped to encourage rainwater retention.
The layout of the blocks serves a dual purpose: to energize the public spaces by positioning the workshop areas on the ground floor and to harmonize with the surrounding built environment. Consequently, the building features a pronounced urban angle and low volumes facing adjacent structures to maintain their exposure to sunlight. The staggered arrangement of the programmatic blocks creates landscaped, permeable outdoor spaces for each academic discipline.
