MVRDV to transform 35ha industrial site at the Bordeaux centre

The 35ha site near the Garonne river lies within walking distance from the historic center of Bordeaux and is currently occupied by warehouses, redundant barracks and rail embankments. MVRDV’s analysis of the site identified a great potential; the future neighborhood will be a chance to reconnect the city with the river and to engage in a new urbanity with an increased ecologic efficiency. Careful investigations into the role of the river as main urban axis, the ecological profile, the public space, public transport, the industrial heritage the open character of the site and the future programmatic use are to be executed. The design process will be accompanied by public debate and engage the public and future inhabitants.

MVRDV was chosen based on an intellectual bid. Vincent Feltesse, president of the CUB, says: “We have chosen MVRDV because of its sensitive reading of the possibilities of the site. Bordeaux will extend its centre with an excellent new urban quarter which will be an innovative, social and sustainable example.”

The program to realize on site ranges between 280.000m2 and 300.000m2 of which at least 55% will be housing, 2400 units in different categories, to create a mixed urban environment. Up to 20% will be reserved for offices, up to 15% for retail and public services.

The project is commissioned by the Urban Community of Bordeaux and will be executed by MVRDV heading a team comprising of Arcadis France (traffic, engineering), Oasiis (environment), Davis Langdon (economy) and Territoires (landscape).

MVRDV works in France on a range of projects, most recently the vision for Grand Paris commissioned by President Sarkozy. The plan envisioned Paris as a more compact, social and ecologic metropolis. In Lyon a mixed-use project is a few months from completion.

var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-18103101-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);

(function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();