La Maillerie, the revival of a brownfield site
Villeneuve d’Ascq et Croix / France
Development: Linkcity and Bouygues Bâtiment Nord-Est, in association with Nhood
The former 3 Suisses logistics site in Villeneuve d’Ascq et Croix has undergone major regeneration works to capitalise on this urban space in the very heart of the city of Lille. Designed as a place for living and creating social ties, as the name suggests (La Maillerie means “the mesh” in French), the new neighbourhood will combine cultural and charitable initiatives with commitments to biodiversity, the circular economy and greener modes of transport. Currently underway, the reconversion of the huge brownfield site will see its complete transformation, with the first residents arriving in May 2021. They will enjoy a green environment and a number of services and facilities, such as local shops, a kindergarten and a medical centre. As part of the energy transition, La Maillerie’s heating will be close to carbon neutral, provided primarily by wood and household waste from the city.
La Maison du Projet, at the heart of neighbourhood life
Designed from the outset to bring people together and forge ties between residents, locals and future inhabitants, and to welcome economic players in the social sector, this is a hybrid place for living, working, leisure, creating memories and sharing experiences, including yoga classes, zero waste and DIY workshops, recycling centre, café, shared garden, neighbourhood parties and festivals.
Key figures
11
hectares of brownfield land for redevelopment
3,000
residents, students and workers
16,000 m²
of office space
1
hotel
768
1 communal car park with 768 spaces
Further information
700
Homes of varying types
homes of varying types including five inclusive housing micro-developments for the most vulnerable (the elderly, people with disabilities, etc.)
Another example of urban regeneration in Bern
Losinger Marazzi chose to develop and build a residential district with the 2,000 watts label on the former site of the municipal tram depot in Bern. This meant dismantling the depot hangar to allow it to be partially reused. In collaboration with EPFL, the hangar was carefully dismantled. The students at EPFL created a simulation of its rebuilding with a mock-up to provide an accurate description of how the pieces should be taken apart so that as many as possible could subsequently be reused. Part of the hangar has been repurposed to create the reconstruction company’s workshop, while another is now in Howfil’s construction materials storage centre.
2
Serviced residences
(one for students, one for senior citizens)
A wooden base camp for the 120 people working on the construction site
Consisting of factory-made flat-packed parts, the wooden base camp can be assembled quickly and is easy to transport. Recyclable and reusable, it also uses less energy (50% energy savings) and offers better thermal comfort in both summer and winter thanks to optimum insulation.
10,000 m² of retail and services, including:
- Food halls, microbrewery
- 1 kindergarten
- 1 school site
- 1 medical centre
- Community spaces