Grau

Garonne Eiffel is one of the three sectors of the ION Euratlantique where 2.5 million square meters will be built around the train station St Jean. Garonne Eiffel, situated on the right bank of Bordeaux, is distinguished from other sectors by a very high residential program : the construction of 870 000 m2 with over 6000 dwellings (70%).

More than a project made of the accumulation of various neighborhoods we seek to produce an overall urbanity. We developed a series of five operational fabrics, designed with the characteristics of the territory in mind. They are developed following a common base that defines the general objectives to achieve (density and compactness, programmatic mix, typological diversity, public parks and permeability). The fabrics form specific ‘functional ecosystems’ that allow to mix programs of different sizes and scale and thus create various spatial qualities . We can then combine these fabrics to achieve a typical «Garonne Eiffel» urban pattern, where the quality of life becomes the primary criteria of judgment in the implementation of the project.

The masterplan assembles the five fabrics into one lively, open and diverse city that reacts in a contextual manner to all surrounding areas : a city that promotes continuity and diversity rather than block logic.

The St-Jean bridgehead stretches 500 m to make room for the «promenade deck» : a center of exchange articulating different levels of the city and an office district overlooking the Garonne.