REMODELING OF
UNIMETAL SITE
CAEN
FRANCE, 1994-1997
INDUSTRIAL
PR–109
The issue here is more geographical than historical. The disappearance of a treasure such as the Société métallurgique de Normandie could generate new contributions that would give the city a new character. Identify the treasures or potential of the place, and from there, define what the future could be.
PROGRAM
Study and design of the master plan for the northeast quarter of the Greater Caen metropolitan area, with a particular focus on transportation networks and the redevelopment of brownfield sites resulting from the decline of the steel industry. The project is based on a database derived from studies and interviews, an urban analysis of the sequences along the Orne River, and the development of a master plan for the entire sector.
Situation
Rive de l’Orne, Grand Caen District, France
Year
1994-1997
Status
Urban studies and project management assistance, international competition, winning project
Site area
250 ha
Project management
SEM Grand Caen, Caen
Project implementation
Dominique Perrault, architect, urbanist
DESCRIPTION
Along the Orne River, a wide tree-lined avenue is just waiting to be flanked by a row of city buildings. On the plateau, traces of the former SMN facilities guide and foreshadow the lines that crisscross the countryside and urbanization. At the top of the valley, the route of an old road that crossed the factory is just waiting to be connected to the neighboring districts. Attempting to draw out the most essential aspects of each location. Designing a large-scale project that combines different activities and can introduce other relationships with nature.
READ MORE
The relationship between the plateau and the valley deserves protection, respect, and development. The problem is not a lack of land, but rather an overabundance of it. The project to enhance the city extends to the riverbanks and hillsides, and thus to the entire site. The proposal is a contemporary interpretation of the processes of spatial colonization, interconnecting a manufacturing site according to a 100 m x 100 m grid and proposing to occupy this extreme geographical layout with a random, multipurpose patchwork that nevertheless respects a generous central void. This approach creates a balance between geometric rigor and freedom of use, while highlighting the relationship between urbanity and nature.
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