Meuniers eco-neighbourhood in Bessancourt retains its existing trees and former market garden.
Faithful to the local spirit, the Wood Side complex is located around a beautiful grove of oaks and walnut trees. Very domestic, two blocks of flats and twenty-four houses with gardens dominated by the trees.
While the houses are entirely built in timber, the flats combine timber clad elevations with structural concrete. Eleven houses are also BEPAS where plastic is banned from the project.
To limit the carbon footprint, the operation is mixed and 100% timber construction.
To the north of the site, a 4-storey block of flats forms the new neighbourhood square. Its predominantly glazed base accommodates a shop and nursery. While its most urban facade is hollowed out with loggias, its south elevation is composed of long continuous balconies.
Perpendicular to the first block of flats, the second block defines the centre of the site. Narrow, it provides residents housing units with double and sometimes triple orientations. Large protruding balconies enhance the proximity of the trees.
Chamfered loggias on north elevation have different views of the square. Full-height windows provide interiors with a significant amount of daylight.
Entourés d’arbres matures qui les dominent, les deux petits immeubles gagnent une vraie qualité de présence.
Maria-Caterina Bertano, PROJECT ARCHITECT
« Retaining existing trees was one of the main design parameters of the project which influenced the siting of the building. Opening windows onto the balconies, it’s as if perched in the trees.»
Their balconies and galvanised railings without pretention, the two buildings merge urbanity and rusticity.
In the site centre, a grove of trees has been retained. Earth works enable the site centre to function as a rain garden where half of the thirty-year precipitation is stored.
Three rows of timber framed terrace houses are located to the south of the site.
Eleven houses comply with BEPAS certification requirements. High-performance insulation and dual-flow mechanical ventilation drastically reduce heating in winter and provide coolness during summer.
Hot water production by thermal solar panels on the roof reduces the daily carbon footprint of each unit.
Status
2021 completion
Location
EcoQuartier des Meuniers / Bessancourt (95)
Client
Icade
Strategic planner
Grand Paris Aménagement
Programme
80 housing units: 2 blocks of flats and 24 terrace houses
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