the polarityof water

Between Chartrons and Bacalan, Bassins à Flots, the new district in Bordeaux, asserts its uniqueness. It is drawn from the presence of water which polarizes the whole composition. The whole plan is drawn according to the development of the two large ponds which offer a kilometer and a half of magnificent void in the heart of the district.

a walk
around the ponds

In a way, the walk around the ponds is an extension of the docks, but this time the water is more welcoming, it is possible to safely organize recreational activities, cultural events and even floating habitat. The marina and naval repairs in the form of refits also activate this “harbor plate”. The history of the harbor is there, present, the silos, cranes, rails, everything recalls the industrial activity of the past, and the submarine base, which reflects a painful past, asserts an almost out-of-scale presence. All these elements are reenacted and almost metamorphosed to fit into a new skyline. It is the spirit of the ponds, a dense, active, varied, mixed neighborhood: housings, crafts, economic and creative activities, offices, shops, leisure, all these forms of life interfact within a single block.

paths that lead to the ponds

Paths cross the blocks and converge towards the promenade des bassins. These pedestrian paths are blocks of freshness bordered by townhouses with gardens, incorporated into the ground floors of apartment buildings. These buildings are inspired by the large volumes of the port, inhabited warehouses, large lofts with interior gardens, integrated car parking lots, roofs with sheds that capture energy and bring in natural light.

a tailor-made
neighborhood

The Bassins à Flots district has been tailor-made according to the context and the spirit of the place. The existing buildings have been preserved as much as possible and converted.

About a hundred architects worked from a statement of work – alignment, height – and architectural and urban feasibility which fixed the overall volume to precisely draw the built environment.

There is no underground parking, these are integrated into the heart of the block and covered by abovethe ground gardens which constitute new blocks of freshness.

town planning negotiated
at the Atelier des Bassins

The project is implemented by the Atelier des Bassins, which brings together the Urban Community of Bordeaux, the City, the port authorities, and ANMA. Every fortnight, L’Atelier des Bassins invites project leaders to work with them on programs and plans to devise ideas.

So that developers, lessors, landowners, associations, economic players are involved in the development of the development guide plan. The project can be considered as a manifesto: to make the city differently, to bet on the synergy of the actors, the consultation and the innovation which outlines the housing of tomorrow.

the ponds in 2019

In 2019, this 159 hectare site, designed by ANMA, brought together around 100 architectural firms, around 30 developers, lessors and around 20 project developers. It is almost completed. Of the 700,800 m² planned, 194 approved building permits have already have made it possible to build 590,000 m² SP over the past ten years. Upon completion, the project will include 440,000 m² of housing, 260,000 m² of equipment, activities and services.

PROJECT TEAM

PROJECT MANAGER
Urbanist : ANMA
Landscape : Hors-Champs
VRD : Cetab

PRE-OPERATIONAL
Thomas Hermann
Jean-Rémy Dostes

OPÉRATIONAL
Jean-Rémy Dostes
Camille Vallet
Arthur Pérez Marsères
Camille Gravellier

TECHNICAL SHEET

STATUS Completed

COMMISSIONED BY
Bordeaux Métropole, Ville de Bordeaux

CALENDAR 2009-2025

SURFACE 154 ha – 700 000 m² SP

COSTS 98 M€HT

VISUALIZATION1 Plan

PHOTOGRAPHY 11h45

SEE +
Dijon, Écoquartier Grand Est
Lille, Quartier Arras Europe
Villeneuve d’Ascq, La Maillerie