Main Architecture and Design Sunny Outpost

Sunny Outpost

Creation of eco-sustainable cities – one of the biggest challenges faced by people in the XXI century, and this challenge starts in the urban development zone of the 17th arrondissement of Paris at Cardinet-Chalabre. Educational complex designed by Atelier Philéas Architecture Bureau, which includes primary and secondary schools, as well as dormitory for 152 miniapartments, is already constructed.

This new area earmarked for local government planning project illustrates the city of Paris ambitions: to realize an important area AND sustainable in the heart of the Parisian metropolis, setting very high a standard with at least low energy buildings, at best positive energy buildings, to prove that it is not only possible, but moreover it is enviable, qualitative and contemporary. In this project, ecology is tackled as a seed for urban innovation and not as an accessory; ecological approach organizes, dictates aspects and surfaces, overturns ways of life and living together, and is no more segregationist: ecology is made for gardens and for buildings. You’ll see, ecology will turn citizens into greens.

Confluence and Transition
The site where was planned the new project for Cardinet is located on the confluence of some urban functions with their equipment, housings, mobility axes and a lot of green areas, and moreover a hub for the north-west part of Paris with an important antique and recent rail network, and major roads leading to Paris doors. This area means an historic transition between the industrial past of the Parisian suburbs (historical location for French railways board) and a thousand dreams for the future (potential area for the 2012 Olympics, and from now on emblematic site for the new Paris as an ecological metropolis).

This site, chosen for our project, is an amplifier. It realizes an angle between the park front and one of its divisions leading to the avenue de Clichy and the preexisting districts with melted sociology. Contributing the advances between street and park, our building plays the part of an urban mainspring: it allows open views from the avenue de Clichy to the park and don’t block them. On the other hand, thanks to its sizes and calibre, it seems to enlarge the park and allows the south sun shine.

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