A London-based architectural practice has been selected to develop initial plans for a major redevelopment project in Paris, along the River Seine, which will see the creation of 4000 new homes in the French capital.
Baca Architects?? integrated approach to water and climate-adaptive city design particularly appealed to the Seine Amont Public Development Agency (EPA ORSA), following its international call for competitive proposals in April. The British company will now lead a team including landscape and urban design firm, atelier VILLES & PAYSAGES and French engineering firm, EGIS.
EPA ORSA has set out an ambitious plan for mixed use of the brownfield 37-hectare site, which totals 600,000sqm net floor area, and is similar in scope and issues to the Thames Estuary in London. Baca director Robert Barker, says: ?The site faces many sustainable development constraints that are common challenges to other cities across the world – flooding, contamination, occupied plots, access and lack of identity ?? with a need for high density development for housing and jobs. It??s a very high-profile urban territory with great potential.??
The Seine-Gare-Vitry site covers an area stretching from the RER station in Vitry Centre to the banks of the Seine and is one of the largest development projects in the Greater Paris area. Over 30 international architectural practices submitted proposals to EPA ORSA, with just three firms selected by the jury to go through to the planning stage.
The Seine Amont Public development agency was established in 2007 by 15 partner organisations and encompasses 12 local towns, the Val-de-Marne County Council, the Ile-de-France Regional Council and the State. Barker added: ?The project will allow Baca to demonstrate our expertise in the fields of town planning, landscaping, flood risk and public transport station design. We are honoured to have been selected to such a prestigious project.??
