a strategic entrance and an access to the station

The Amphitheater district is a tipping point in the road networks of the greater Metz area. It orders two mandatory passages under the network of railways to the boulevards of the city center. It is the only access to the south of the station and, with the arrival of the TGV, constitutes a major entry point in terms of traffic and parking.

This strategic location gives the direction to the development project, which aims to resolve, as a priority, transit traffic and access to the station in the future district.

a curved street and
six pedestrian spaces

The project takes shape from a north-south curving street in continuity with the passage of the Amphitheater. This street allows the thickening of the existing block in order to recompose a coherent facade on the way. Six pedestrian squares are articulated along its route – including the forecourt of the Centre Pompidou-Metz.

a rhythm of perpendicular openings

Starting from the curved street, the project is organized according to an east-west permeability, with repeated openings between the Sablons and the Seille districts which make it possible to manage the water flow according to the natural slope. They also make it possible to organize the building according to a grid perpendicular to the embankment and to the curved track, to create transverse transparencies punctuating the space of the street.

a forecourt and
an urban garden

Thanks to these openings, green continuities are established between the Seille park and the Sablons houses with the creation of three planted corridors running through the new district. A gently sloping forecourt establishes a direct link between the Pompidou center and the pedestrian crossings to the station.

This slab device passes over the rue aux Arènes, which will eventually become a very important multi-modal hub. To the north of the forecourt, an urban garden, green punctuation on the curved street, will accompany the Centre Pompidou.

a districtof major facilities

Each of the public spaces constitutes the support for major facilities: the square with the Centre Pompidou (to the east) and the Palais des Congrès (to the west), place 3C with the multiplex, places 2B and 5D with proximity equipment. The businesses are installed at the foot of buildings and run along the curved street to irrigate the new district.

The construction is organized according to the plots either longitudinally or transversely. This device offers a variety of spaces on the street with views looking down towards the heart of blocks treated in open and planted courses, or even arranged in front, especially facing the squares.

a green energy band

A 20 m wide energy strip is created along the railway tracks to absorb pollution. A structuring and functional element in the development of the site, it reinforces the green network of the area with the installation of a vegetated embankment, it participates in the management of rainwater, and finally it accommodates production and distribution equipments for energy, such as co-generation facilities.

PROJECT TEAM

MANAGEMENT TEAM
Architect: ANMA
Engineering: OGI
Lighting design: Agence Patrick Rimoux
Landscape: Pascal Cribier, Paso Doble
HQE: Tribu

PROJECT MANAGER
Société Publique Locale de Metz Métropole

RESEARCH
Thomas Hermann
Maxime Vicens

RESEARCH
Claire Jeanson
Sophie Laure Weill

TECHNICAL SHEET

STATUS Completed

COMMISSIONED BY

YEAR 2002 – 2014

SURFACE Site 39 ha – 290 000 m² SHON

COST 31,2 M€ HT

VISUALIZATIONS Charles Wallon, 1 Plan

PHOTOGRAPHY Camille Gharbi

SEE MORE
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Metz, City Center and Station Hotel