Potted plants and doorways shaped like gardeners are dotted across the faceted La Vallée Verte housing in Bordeaux, France, recently completed by Dutch studio MVRDV. The project on the northwestern edge of Bastide Niel, a former industrial area on the bank of the Garonne River, forms part of a wider development being masterplanned by the studio. Tune in to see the final result of this project!
MVRDV Designs Bordeaux Housing with Giant Plant Pots and Human-Shaped Openings
Aligning with the goals of the wider redevelopment, the housing was designed to maximize people's access to sunlight and greenery, with a faceted form that encircles a courtyard. According to MVRDV founder Winy Maas, one of the main goals of the Bastide Niel masterplan was to create a sense of intimacy within the new district by organizing it around historic traces and forming a network of smaller, pedestrian-friendly streets. He explained that the buildings were shaped to maximize access to sunlight, resulting in a roofscape that resembles icebergs and echoes the character of Bordeaux's historic cityscape.
Maas also noted that the masterplan encourages individual architectural expression, allowing each architect to develop their own interpretation while adhering to the overall design guidelines. Regarding La Vallée Verte, he explained that the three residential blocks were designed to create space for extensive greenery, resulting in a unique form of intimacy. The resulting courtyard, filled with vegetation, was designed to feel like a secluded world within the neighborhood, creating a shared experience for both residents and visitors.
Characteristics of La Vallée Verte
La Vallée Verte comprises three buildings on a triangular plot. They surround a central courtyard as a 'crater', which acts as a park-like space for residents. Inside the trio of blocks are 70 homes in a range of sizes, planned to accommodate residents of all ages and family sizes. Together, the faceted forms of the buildings are intended to resemble a natural valley landscape.
Their angled elevations are the result of suncuts – a parametric design method in which a building's massing is sliced and carved to maximize access to sunlight and minimize overshadowing. La Vallée Verte's outward-facing facades are flat and tiled, while those facing the courtyard feature full-height openings and loggias lined with plant pots that hold a mix of shrubs and small trees.
To ensure the plants can be easily maintained, the studio has incorporated a route for professional gardeners through the balconies. This is defined by repeated openings and steel doors shaped like a person with a wide-brimmed hat, playfully resembling a stock image of a gardener.
Completing the project are a day-care center on the ground floor of one of the buildings, an above-ground parking structure, and porous landscaping. La Vallée Verte is connected to a district heating system and utilizes photovoltaic panels to meet some of its electricity needs. The interiors are pared-back, finished with white walls and wooden detailing.
Photos by: Paul Lefevre.
