Expanding Les Grands Ateliers
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Date
2025-06-11
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Abstract
This thesis presents a comprehensive architectural proposal for the expansion of Les Grands Ateliers in Villefontaine, France. Developed as part of an international design competition, the project reimagines the site as a cohesive, sustainable campus that supports experimental pedagogy, research, and public engagement.
The proposed design integrates all programmatic elements into a single, unified masterplan. It includes a new residential building accommodating approximately 64 students and researchers, paired with a "laboratory for co-creation"a collaborative working space comprising offices, meeting rooms, and multipurpose areas, accessible from both the Astus platform and the adjacent road.
Beyond the core building, the design extends across the full 2-hectare site to incorporate a variety of campus functions. These include a prototype village for outdoor experimentation with full-scale constructions, as well as facilities traditionally envisioned for long-term development: a small conference center, expanded dining and exhibition areas, recreational zones, and supporting amenities such as bike storage, laundry, and wellness spaces. The proposal treats these not as phased additions but as essential components of a fully functioning, integrated campus from the outset.
The project emphasizes ecological responsibility, resource efficiency, and user-centered design. Key strategies include enhanced site accessibility, clear circulation paths, and strong visual and spatial connections to the surrounding landscape. The design positions Les Grands Ateliers as a living laboratoryan environment where architectural experimentation, education, and community are interwoven to meet the challenges of contemporary practice.
This thesis presents a comprehensive architectural proposal for the expansion of Les Grands Ateliers in Villefontaine, France. Developed as part of an international design competition, the project reimagines the site as a cohesive, sustainable campus that supports experimental pedagogy, research, and public engagement. The proposed design integrates all programmatic elements into a single, unified masterplan. It includes a new residential building accommodating approximately 64 students and researchers, paired with a "laboratory for co-creation"a collaborative working space comprising offices, meeting rooms, and multipurpose areas, accessible from both the Astus platform and the adjacent road. Beyond the core building, the design extends across the full 2-hectare site to incorporate a variety of campus functions. These include a prototype village for outdoor experimentation with full-scale constructions, as well as facilities traditionally envisioned for long-term development: a small conference center, expanded dining and exhibition areas, recreational zones, and supporting amenities such as bike storage, laundry, and wellness spaces. The proposal treats these not as phased additions but as essential components of a fully functioning, integrated campus from the outset. The project emphasizes ecological responsibility, resource efficiency, and user-centered design. Key strategies include enhanced site accessibility, clear circulation paths, and strong visual and spatial connections to the surrounding landscape. The design positions Les Grands Ateliers as a living laboratoryan environment where architectural experimentation, education, and community are interwoven to meet the challenges of contemporary practice.
This thesis presents a comprehensive architectural proposal for the expansion of Les Grands Ateliers in Villefontaine, France. Developed as part of an international design competition, the project reimagines the site as a cohesive, sustainable campus that supports experimental pedagogy, research, and public engagement. The proposed design integrates all programmatic elements into a single, unified masterplan. It includes a new residential building accommodating approximately 64 students and researchers, paired with a "laboratory for co-creation"a collaborative working space comprising offices, meeting rooms, and multipurpose areas, accessible from both the Astus platform and the adjacent road. Beyond the core building, the design extends across the full 2-hectare site to incorporate a variety of campus functions. These include a prototype village for outdoor experimentation with full-scale constructions, as well as facilities traditionally envisioned for long-term development: a small conference center, expanded dining and exhibition areas, recreational zones, and supporting amenities such as bike storage, laundry, and wellness spaces. The proposal treats these not as phased additions but as essential components of a fully functioning, integrated campus from the outset. The project emphasizes ecological responsibility, resource efficiency, and user-centered design. Key strategies include enhanced site accessibility, clear circulation paths, and strong visual and spatial connections to the surrounding landscape. The design positions Les Grands Ateliers as a living laboratoryan environment where architectural experimentation, education, and community are interwoven to meet the challenges of contemporary practice.
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Subject(s)
Atelier, Sustainability,