Ivry-sur-Seine

An overview of projects, products and exclusive articles about Ivry-sur-Seine

Lise Meitner Square – Crossing of paths.

STAR-BOARD

Each wellhead requires a 15-metre-radius waterproof safety zone, materialised as an orange asphalt ring. (Image: during construction.)

The square’s design seeks to reveal, rather than conceal, the geothermal infrastructure at its core. (Image: during construction.)

Though shaped by constraints, Lise Meitner Square is ultimately a gift to the neighbourhood: a fully open, inclusive public space.

Three circular areas are designated as flexible-use zones—for sports, fitness, café terraces, etc.—and they are each materialised with a different treatment.

Project • By BOARD • Residential Landscape

Lise Meitner Square

Lise Meitner Square is part of the experimental housing project START in Ivry-sur-Seine, which includes five residential buildings. And yet, this square was not initially meant to exist. Its creation required overcoming major constraints linked to two 1,500-metre-deep geothermal wells on site—providing heating for a large part of the city— which originally demanded a fenced, impermeable and inaccessible zone. STAR-BOARD Such an arrangement would have seriously compromised the quality of life for the nearly 300 families living in START-Ivry. After long negotiations with the geothermal operator, we secured a 2,600m² public space—transforming a technical limitation into a meaningful urban asset. STAR-BOARD T... More