S4_Restoring Places, Reweaving Connections Within the Clermont Metropolis
The project is located in the Saint-Jean neighborhood, replacing the former Leroy Merlin store. It highlights structural elements for their aesthetic appeal, reusing cladding panels to preserve the site's authenticity.
The goal is to transform underutilized spaces into urban oases, with green zones, community gardens, and public squares where nature can thrive. By freeing up the ground floor, we aim to create open, welcoming spaces that encourage community gatherings and activities.
Our vision is to develop a dynamic cultural and creative hub that fosters innovation and collaboration between artists and the local community. At the same time, we aim to provide accessible health and social services, along with relaxation and recreational spaces to meet the population's well-being needs. Plans also include constructing a boarding facility for students from Gergovie High School, offering practical and secure accommodation for students.
For housing, the project proposes a diverse range of units from T2 to T4. A key feature will be spacious, four-meter-wide exterior walkways for each building, providing pleasant outdoor spaces for each residence.
We seek to find the right balance between communal living and a sense of home. Each building will feature two vertical circulation cores, serving two to three units per level with access to external landings. The apartments follow a simple layout: on one side, bedrooms and the bathroom; on the other, the kitchen and living room, allowing for through-living spaces from façade to façade. The architecture will feature vertical alternations of windows and light finishes, with windows centered within their structural grid, highlighted by wooden detailing to accentuate their verticality.
On the ground floor, we will reinforce the existing structure by adding I-beams for extra stability. The two circulation cores will frame this space, which will then be enclosed with curtain walls and large, open accordion doors that provide access to the garden.
By combining heritage preservation, the creation of green spaces, the promotion of culture and well-being, and providing a student boarding facility, our urban redevelopment project aims to revitalize the neighborhood and create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community for generations to come.
