A former industrial park constructed in 1907 and originally used as a shipping and customs complex is set to undergo a transformation into a sustainable eco-neighborhood covering 135,000-sm.
A little less than one-third of this space consists of the 40,000-sm Gare Maritime (Marine Terminal). The eco-neighborhood’s masterplan calls for this building to be redeveloped into an eco-campus for work and relaxation, according to Arch Daily. The Gare Maritime’s architecture is representative of the industrial era in which it was created; an aesthetic that will be maintained throughout the redevelopment.
The structure comprises five parallel cast iron and glass “vessels” that, under the new development, will each host their own architectural identities. However, the contemporary interventions that will be added to the structure’s five spaces will all be detached from the original building, creating a contrast with the industrial wrought iron of the existing structure and the solid wood and cross-laminated timber of the additions.
The five spaces within the Gare Maritime will combine to create a mixed-use campus with offices, sports and leisure spaces, retail, bars, restaurants, and greenhouses. A public park and canal will also be brought inside the terminal.
The Gare Maritime isn’t most striking component of Vincent Callebaut Architectures’ design, however. Just to the north of the Gare Maritime are three vertical forests, containing a total of 85,000 sm of multiple-scale housing. The vertical forests have a slope reminiscent of a ski jump, varying between 24 and 100 meters in height. These Vertical Forests are covered with trees and gardens from top to bottom. Each building will have a large roof containing fruit and vegetable balconies and solar panels.
The Vertical Forests and the Gare Maritame will be connected by a large marsh pond, a bar and restaurant created from a former fish and oil covered market, and what the architects are calling a giant lilypad, which exists within the marsh pond and provides space for events, exhibits, and an open-air auditorium.
In total, 85,000 sm will be used for housing with the remaining 50,000 sm used for office, retail, and leisure.
Rendering courtesy of Vincent Callebaut Architectures.
Rendering courtesy of Vincent Callebaut Architectures.
Rendering courtesy of Vincent Callebaut Architectures.
Rendering courtesy of Vincent Callebaut Architectures.
Rendering courtesy of Vincent Callebaut Architectures.
Rendering courtesy of Vincent Callebaut Architectures.
Rendering courtesy of Vincent Callebaut Architectures.
Rendering courtesy of Vincent Callebaut Architectures.
Related Stories
| Oct 27, 2014
Report estimates 1.2 million people experience LEED-certified retail centers daily
The "LEED In Motion: Retail" report includes USGBC’s conceptualization of the future of retail, emphasizing the economic and social benefit of green building for retailers of all sizes and types.
| Oct 27, 2014
Top 10 green building products for 2015
Among the breakthrough products to make BuildingGreen's annual Top-10 Green Building Products list are halogen-free polyiso insulation and a high-flow-rate biofiltration system.
| Oct 21, 2014
Inside LEED v4: The view from the MEP engineering seats
Much of the spirited discussion around LEED v4 has been centered on the Materials & Resources Credit. At least one voice in the wilderness is shouting for greater attention to another huge change in LEED: the shift to ASHRAE 90.1-2010 as the new reference standard for Energy & Atmosphere prerequisites and credits.
| Oct 16, 2014
Perkins+Will white paper examines alternatives to flame retardant building materials
The white paper includes a list of 193 flame retardants, including 29 discovered in building and household products, 50 found in the indoor environment, and 33 in human blood, milk, and tissues.
| Oct 15, 2014
Harvard launches ‘design-centric’ center for green buildings and cities
The impetus behind Harvard's Center for Green Buildings and Cities is what the design school’s dean, Mohsen Mostafavi, describes as a “rapidly urbanizing global economy,” in which cities are building new structures “on a massive scale.”
| Oct 14, 2014
USGBC awards individuals, firms for leading the way in sustainable construction
This year’s Leadership Award recipients include Christine Ervin, David Orr, Jim DeCesare, Lloyd Alter, Tom Paladino, The Near Westside Initiative, and Mars, Inc.
| Sep 29, 2014
Organically grown bricks, urban flood control system among 2014 Holcim Award winners
The 13 Holcim Award winners for North America illustrate how sustainable construction continues to evolve.
| Sep 29, 2014
Report finds links between office design, health and productivity
A new report from the World Green Building Council finds “overwhelming evidence” to support office design as a significant influencer of the health, wellbeing and productivity of staff.
| Sep 16, 2014
Studies reveal growing demand for LEED-credentialed professionals across building sector
The study showed that demand for the LEED Accredited Professional and LEED Green Associate credentials grew 46 percent over a 12-month period.
| Sep 15, 2014
Sustainability rating systems: Are they doomed?
None of the hundreds of existing green building rating systems is perfect. Some of them are too documentation-heavy. Some increase short-term project cost. Some aren’t rigorous enough or include contentious issues, writes HDR's Michaella Wittmann.