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
| Feb 24, 2011
Perkins+Will designs 100 LEED Certified buildings
Perkins+Will announced the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification of its 100th sustainable building, marking a key milestone for the firm and for the sustainable design industry. The Vancouver-based Dockside Green Phase Two Balance project marks the firm’s 100th LEED certified building and is tied for the highest scoring LEED building worldwide with its sister project, Dockside Green Phase One.
| Feb 24, 2011
New reports chart path to net-zero-energy commercial buildings
Two new reports from the Zero Energy Commercial Buildings Consortium (CBC) on achieving net-zero-energy use in commercial buildings say that high levels of energy efficiency are the first, largest, and most important step on the way to net-zero.
| Feb 23, 2011
Financial outlook for green commercial properties is promising
Leanne Tobias, founder and managing principal of Malachite LLC, an advisory firm that specializes in the development, leasing, management, financing, and certification of sustainable or green real estate on a global basis, writes about new government policy proposals that have her cheering—and one that makes her gravely concerned.
| Feb 23, 2011
Unprecedented green building dispute could cost developer $122.3 Million
A massive 4.5 million-sf expansion of the Carousel Center shopping complex in Syracuse, N.Y., a project called Destiny USA, allegedly failed to incorporate green building components that developers had promised the federal government—including LEED certification. As a result, the project could lose its tax-exempt status, which reportedly saved developer The Pyramid Cos. $120 million, and the firm could be penalized $2.3 million by the IRS.
| Feb 23, 2011
Green building on the chopping block in House spending measure
Bryan Howard, Legislative Director of the U.S. Green Building Council, blogs about proposed GOP budget cuts that could impact green building in the commercial sector.
| Feb 22, 2011
LEED Volume Program celebrates its 500th certified Pilot Project
More than 500 building projects have certified through the LEED Volume Program since the pilot launched in 2006, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED Volume Program streamlines the certification process for high-volume property owners and managers, from commercial real estate firms, national retailers and hospitality providers, to local, state and federal governments.
| Feb 15, 2011
New 2030 Challenge to include carbon footprint of building materials and products
Architecture 2030 has just broadened the scope of its 2030 Challenge, issuing an additional challenge regarding the climate impact of building products. The 2030 Challenge for Products aims to reduce the embodied carbon (meaning the carbon emissions equivalent) of building products 50% by 2030.
| Feb 15, 2011
New Urbanist Andrés Duany: We need a LEED Brown rating
Andrés Duany advocates a "LEED Brown" rating that would give contractors credit for using traditional but low cost measures that are not easy to quantify or certify. He described these steps as "the original green," and "what we did when we didn't have money." Ostensibly, LEED Brown would be in addition to the current Silver, Gold and Platinum ratings.