From ideas to process-projects
Europan 17 - Nantes (FR) (FR)
« PACTE ALIMENTAIRE LIGÉRIEN »
Project strategy family:
- Ecological connections
- Inclusive morphologies
- Inventive typologies
- Reinterpreted heritage
- Urban articulations
Process category:
- Direct order processes
- Competitive processes
- Co-creative processes
- Collaborative processes
- Participative processes
- Participation of the Living processes
- Adaptative legal framework processes
Authors: Matthias Mercier, Louise Castelli, Sullivan Josso (FR)
Client(s): Nantes Métropole, SAMOA
Dates: 2023 - ...
Driving forces: TEAM
Site
Nantes (FR) (FR)
SCALE L/S SIZE 80ha / 18.4ha
The relocation of the University Hospital by 2027 to new buildings currently under construction on the island of Nantes is an opportunity to give a new program and interpretation to the hospital vocation of this site located on the banks of the Loire and in the heart of the city, between the city center and the island of Nantes, by opening it up to the city, its inhabitants and, more broadly, to the living beings in all its diversity.
Awarded Idea
Project - Ideas
PACTE ALIMENTAIRE LIGÉRIEN
At the crossroads of a site with a thousand-year-old history and a territorial geography structured by the Loire River, the former Nantes University Hospital is preparing to enter a new phase of its history. The development of a nurturing park in the city centre raises the question of the future food model, at a time when crises are no longer a topic to be discussed. Designed with the abundant practices in the Nantes metropolitan area and the heritage of the Hôtel Dieu, the park offers two new horizons: to the site, by opening it to the city and the Loire, and to the inhabitants of the metropolitan area, who are looking for healthier, more responsible nutrition.
Project Strategy
Family: Reinterpreted heritage
REGENERATION OF A FORMER HOSPITAL BY INTEGRATING IT INTO ITS LANDSCAPED AND PRODUCTIVE ENVIRONMENT
The transformation hypothesis developed during the competition is based mainly on the notions of process and long time, notions which resonate with the particularities of the site (departure of its current functions staggered over time, unique place in the heart of the city, integration of local actors,...) and therefore appeared relevant for the metropolis.
An initial phase of presenting the prize-winning ideas and holding workshops allowed for their further development.
A consortium was formed, bringing together the special mention team and the "Le sens de la ville" and LAQ expert group, to respond to a call for tenders. This resulted in the consortium being awarded a project management assistance mission, commissioned by the client, for the transformation strategy of the Hôtel-Dieu site. The theme of nourishment is among the areas of focus that will continue to be explored, as well as the development of a process-based project fuelled by unique vocations inspired by the inhabitants of the metropolitan area.
This project management support assignment (contracted in early 2025) entails producing an illustrated summary narrative and scenarios for interim use. Consequently, the Europan team will not be involved in the subsequent detailed design and construction phases. The main delivery deadlines over the 3 years of the framework agreement are:
1- Cross-views, first delivery (May 2025)
2- Urban, landscape and building analysis report (January 2026)
3- Project framework (July 2026)
4- Transitional occupation master plan (September 2026)
5- Operational roadmap (July 2027)
6- Illustrated narrative (throughout the study).
Process
Category(ies): Competitive processes, Participative processes, Participation of the Living processes
Competitive processes
Following the competition and in parallel with events organised by the city and the Nantes School of Architecture (presentation, exhibition, discussions), the team joined a consortium to respond to an open call for tenders for a project management assistance assignment for the Hôtel Dieu transformation strategy, launched by the metropolis.
Participative processes
The user-centered approach will notably take the form of on-site workshops bringing together residents, economic stakeholders, and public decision-makers to jointly lay the groundwork for the Hospital's interim use project.
Participation of the Living processes
The project addresses issues related to food in terms of accessibility and quality by reintegrating the Living into a dense site located in the city centre.
