K Architectures

multi-storey student residence hall in bordeaux, france. accommodating 234 apartment units.

Photos: © Simon Deprez 2009

Maîtrise d’ouvrage: Bordeaux Métropole Aménagement

-

by Archdaily

This multi-story student residence hall, designed by K-architectures, accommodates 234 apartments. The design consists of three separate buildings connected through a series of delightful external staircases.

The building presents a graphic façade that is rendered in black and white. The spaces created between the buildings were turned into garden spaces with tall and hardy vegetation. This creates a nice buffer zone for the residents.

-

by designboom

The project consists of three autonomous buildings that are linked by a set of external staircases and garden voids as transitional zones.

Characterized by a graphic facade treatment composed of alternating metal plates, the residence serves as a visual landmark within the city’s urban makeup. the angles of the external walkways provide a contrasting element to the regularity of the elevations, resulting in a dynamic expression of the holistic design.

At ground level, a rhythmic partition of vertical slats provides a fence-like effect that creates a permeable interface between the street and the interior.  the main entrance and lobby area benefits from this transparent skin, allowing filtered light to penetrate through.

Planted with tall and hardy vegetation, the two garden spaces sandwiched between the buildings serve as natural buffer zones for the residents in addition. To incorporating the outdoors into the general circulation of the design, informal and communal activities are encouraged through generous, terrace-like landings.

The garden is criss-crossed with pathways which further facilitate its use.

see the film of the construction

DOX by Nicolas Amar