Unalterable composition. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

18/11/2020. [Nantes] France
metalocus, JULIO RODRÍGUEZ

KAAN Architecten studio has designed Bottiére Chènai, a residential and commercial premises complex in the town of Nantes, in the Pays de la Loire region, in the historic area of Brittany, in western France.

Surrounded by a large number of infrastructures such as the old train line, the railway line to the west as the avenue de la Route de Sainte Luce, it could be implied that the project is isolated from the rest of the surrounding buildings. However, its composition and development in height that is in tune with the rest of the neighborhood allows the project to integrate and dialogue with the urban environment of Nantes.

The project is developed on a series of independent prismatic volumes destined to the houses that sit on a large base that unites them as a joint homogeneous piece destined to commercial areas. These volumes also communicate with each other through walkways between the exterior corridors of each level of the block.

Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten. Photograph by Sebastian van Damme

Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten. Photograph by Sebastian van Damme

ite plan. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

Ground floor plan. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

Mezzanine floor plan. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

First floor plan. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

Second floor plan. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

Fifth floor plan. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

Elevation east. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

Elevation north. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

levation south. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

levation west. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

Section 1-1. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

Section 2-2. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

Section 3-3. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

Section 4-4. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

Constructive details 1. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

Constructive details 2. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

Diagram 1 - programme distribution. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

Diagram 2 - programme distribution. Bottiére Chènai by KAAN Architecten

The Bottiére Chènai project designed by the KAAN Architecten studio presents a homogeneous piece that works as a whole. A composition is very marked by the rhythm of porticoes on the façade that maintains the same logic even in its lower development in the commercial premises, the size and dimensions change but its logic and composition remain unchanged.

The 172 homes in the program are accessed from exterior corridors, mostly around a large patio that allows neighbors not to isolate themselves from each other, but to allow a common interaction between them, even a staircase is developed on the outside where then, the landscaped patio behaves like one more element of the neighbors' homes, space where you can observe, walk and enjoy.

Project description by KAAN Architecten

Encircled by existing infrastructures such as a tramway, an old railway line and the major artery of Route de Sainte Luce, the site initially appears isolated from its surroundings. By proposing a balanced composition of volumes and bringing together mixed-use programmes and public spaces, KAAN Architecten creates a second urban focal point, along with the Place du Commandant Cousteau, in a mainly residential neighbourhood.

Extremely compact, the project features a multifunctional plinth, composed of commercial spaces, a supermarket and a car park. Above this base rise two 5-storey residential blocks comprising 172 apartments in total. The first volume is dedicated to market-rate housing, while the second hosts a social housing complex.

To the North-West, the larger housing volume unfolds around a spacious courtyard planted with trees, where external walkways overlooking the green surroundings provide access to the dual aspect apartments. Inspired by the Dutch residential architecture tradition, this circulation solution is adapted to its context and minimizes vertical connections, allowing diverse configurations to the housing units – from private outdoor spaces to loggias with living areas. Moreover, these orientational anomalies are flanked by light-wells spreading natural daylight to the lower floors: a vertical rupture that generates informal spaces to foster residents’ socialization.

To the east, the second volume accommodates 39 social housing apartments, which, according to their position, benefit from a double orientation, different typology of loggias and look out over the trees or towards the city. Lastly, to the south-west, the office block, organized around a central core, reinforces the volume juxtaposition and completes the new urban landscape.

Monumental in its consistency, the simple massing of Bottière Chénaie is accompanied by a cohesive repertoire of surfaces.

Monolithic at first glance, the project is enriched by high-quality facades composed of a regular 60 x 60cm post-and-beam structure in precast concrete that generates large transparent surfaces and singular fully glazed corners. The project’s compactness allowed the optimization of economic standards and environmental recommendations throughout the whole building process. The facades provide abundant daylight to the interiors and naturally link them to the city, both during the day and at night. Towards the courtyards and walkways, the vertical surfaces are cladded in grey stained timber giving them a characteristic domestic feel and reinforcing the duality between exterior and interior while elevating the inner public space as the beating heart of the project.

Thanks to a meticulous choice of materials, a balanced colour tuning, functional design and attention to details, KAAN Architecten shapes the new neighbourhood identity with an elegant intervention, transforming it into an attractive centre that blends impeccably into Nantes’ growing suburbs.

More information

Architects

KAAN Architecten.

Project team

Dikkie Scipio, Kees Kaan, Vincent Panhuysen, Dante Borgo, Sebastiaan Buitenhuis, Marc Coma, Sebastian van Damme, Paolo Faleschini, Marylène Gallon, Renata Gilio, Narine Gyulkhasyan, Sophie Ize, Jan Teunis ten Kate, Wouter Langeveld, Julie Le Baud, Yinghao Lin, Aimee Mackenzie, Elsa Marchal, Ismael Planelles Naya, Ana Rivero Esteban, Cécile Sanchez, Yannick Signani, Christian Sluijmer, Joeri Spijkers.

Collaborators

Local architect.- Atelier Forny. Urban planning.- Pranlas-Descours Architect & Associates, Atelier Bruel Delmar.

Client

OCDL - Groupe Giboire.

Area

GFA.- 17,200sqm

Budget

€22,000,000.

Dates

Competition.- 2012-2013. Design phase.- July 2014 - October 2016. Completion.- December 2019.

Manufacturers

Fire control.- Socotec. Technical installations advisor, Acoustics.- SerdB - Groupe Gamba. Structure.- Ouest Structure. Site work.- Charrier TP SUD. Groundwork preparation.- Angevin SAS. Green areas.- Jaulin. Waterproofing.- SMAC. Facade cladding.- Diagonal Façades, Engie Axima. Exterior fixtures.- Alu Rennais, Filmatec. Metal works.- SABM. Wooden doors and windows.- Dupré. Interior walls.- AB Cloisons. PVC floor.- Danjou. Wall tiling.- Rossi. Parquet floor.- Art Co Parquet. Acoustic external floors.- Atlantic Sol. Ceilings.- C.R.L.C. Painting and wall coverings.- Styl’deco, Goni, DBL. Elevators.- Schindler. Plumbing, ventilation and heating.- Mahey. Electricity.- SATI.

Localitation

190 Route de Sainte Luce, Nantes, France.

Photograph

Sebastian van Damme.

Kees Kaan. KAAN Architecten

KAAN Architecten is a Rotterdam based architectural firm operating in a global context and merging practical and academic expertise within the fields of architecture, urbanism and research on the built environment. The studio, led by Kees Kaan, Vincent Panhuysen and Dikkie Scipio, consists of an international team of architects, landscape architects, urban planners, engineers and graphic designers. KAAN Architecten believes in cross-pollination between projects and disciplines as an essential tool to fostering a critical debate within the studio.

Since the launch of the firm, KAAN Architecten has handled and supervised a wide range of projects, actively working with the private and the public sector, with project teams that become increasingly multidisciplinary and dynamic. KAAN Architecten maintains a culture of constant evolution, which is essential in a profession that changes at a rapid pace. KAAN Architecten seeks to uphold long-term relationships with its clients, consultants and partners.

KAAN Architecten’s projects transcend the traditional notion of scale and typology, ranging from furniture and interiors to urban development and from retail and offices to museums and buildings for health and education.

Selection of completed projects:

2017, B30 – Bezuidenhoutseweg 30, The Hague (NL)!
2016, De Bank – new KAAN Architecten’s office, Rotterdam (NL)
2016, Supreme Court of the Netherlands, The Hague (NL)!
2015, Provinciehuis of North-Brabant, ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NL)
2013, Dreamhouse, Rotterdam (NL)!
2013, Education Center Erasmus MC, Rotterdam (NL)!
2010, District Water Board Brabantse Delta, Breda (NL)
!2008, Crematorium Heimolen, Sint Niklaas (BE)!
2004, Netherlands Forensic Institute, The Hague