151 dwellings in ZAC du Pré Gauchet consists of three housing building on a foundation of business premises. It is articulated by a landscaped garden with vegetal and mineral nuances. We believe that “beautiful” housing accommodations are bright, well-oriented and offer wide views. This is what we have planned for the three buildings with views to Nantes city or to the river. We used the same codes and registers with small changes for each project.
© S. Chalmeau
The aim is to distinguish each entity while having an overall unity. Thus the limelight of the housings through their outside extensions (such as loggias and terraces), put into the light buildings from public spaces. The intrinsic quality of the housings draws the facades. The architecture emphasises the use and the opportunity offered by the housing. We did not want a demonstrative architecture, but rather an architecture that invites you to move in. We are particularly interested in the orientation of housing. Thus the vast majority of the flats has a Southeast or Southwest exposure. And most units have a double crossing angle or orientation. The slenderness of the corners’ buildings forms two “towers” that ends the plot and touches Picasso’s alley, even though the below central building connects with the garden.
Project Info
Architects: a/LTA
Country: France, Nantes
Area: 11635 m²
Year: 2015
Photographs: S. Chalmeau
Design Team: CETRAC + LALU
Developer: Nantes Aménagement
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.