Mixed Use Ilot O2

ALTA

• Architects

The envisioned project for the Baud-Chardonnet, mixed urban development zone (ZAC), aims to create a new area extending eastward the urban growth of the city of Rennes.
The highly strategic geographic location of the project gives it a set of unique characteristics as opposed to other areas of urban renewal in the city.
To the north of the site, we have the Vilaine River. Its newly redeveloped banks offer opportunities for a peaceful promenade or maybe more sporty pursuits.
The existing park beside the river with its’ quality landscaping will undoubtedly become one of the key features of the ‘future’ neighborhood. Making it a foundational element and a focal point for the amenities offered to future residents.
To the south, the railway lines, imagined as an "iron river" and juxtaposed with the Vilaine help in visually framing the overall development.

This is a slice of a contemporary city that blends an urban rhythm and form with local amenities and leisure facilities. The design idea, to foster connections, encounters and a sense of shared well-being.

Our site is located on the southern edge of the ZAC, aligned with the perspective of the Marie-Claude Vaillant-Couturier garden. Comprised of three buildings co-designed by three architectural firms, it presents a rich mix of social and private housing, artisanal workshops, office and commercial space.
Each of the building’s functions independently with centralized multi-story communal parking.
A shared garden connects the three buildings, with open access ‘green’ areas that help contribute to the infiltration of rainwater and the development of natural biodiversity.

The central block (Building B) presented a series of complex challenges: how to give each function (home/office/shopping) its independence while assuring operational fluidity and regulatory compliance, all wrapped up in a coherent whole. The volumetry is designed such that each entity leaves space and light for the others.

The office levels step down gradually toward the west, opening up the green space for building A.
While also stepping back to the southeast to create space and light for the central high-rise section which is the focal point of the block. The stepped volumes create generous terraces for the office workers, providing outdoor spaces for informal work, relaxation and socializing.

The lower levels of the residential block shift eastward to minimize direct views towards the offices.

Once above the height of the offices, it aligns with the parking structure and offers many of the units’ desirable orientation and unobstructed views of the wider landscape. This landscape helps to emphasize the volumetric shifts between the different blocks of the building.

We wanted to create a visually striking effect between the different building functions by adopting a colourful approach to the external staircases of the residential and office sections allowing users to circulate freely. These vertical elements wind between the different volumes and animate the more staid northern elevation.

The architectural style is intended to be structurally simple and rational, drawing subtle parallels and cues from the nearby railway environment.

The office elevations express the structural grid, with generous, loft-style openings. The elevations of the high-rise residential section have a smooth and well-defined grid pattern which clearly emphasizes the volumetric shifts.

The exterior spaces of the lower levels take the form of open loggias. The upper floors have enclosed areas forming ‘winter gardens’ sheltered from the wind and allowing the homeowner to use the space almost all year round.
The uppermost section is divided into four small volumes topped with shed type roofs. These roofs will support photovoltaic panels to help the project achieve a level of energy self-sufficiency.
They will also permit a diffuse light to enter the upper parts of the top-floor apartments from the north.
The aim of the rooftop treatment was to allow the verticality of the building to blend with the sky and avoid the blocky appearance of a "solid top floor" while varying the skyline to harmonize with neighbouring structures.

The foundational principle within the design was to provide a certain homogeny to the elevations such that no particular orientation dominates the built environment - no front or back façade.
Each elevation looks toward the city and its metropolitan surroundings.

The choice and number of materials are limited throughout the project – concrete, timber joinery and metal protective railings - and are used for their inherent natural qualities.
The residential high-rise building will have a lightly tinted finish to the concrete evoking both the soft mineral tones typical of Rennes (such as schist stone or brick) and the ambience of the railway universe.