Lyon Confluence district,
design: David Chipperfield Architects
As part of a master plan in Lyon developed by Swiss studio Herzog & de Meuron, British studio David Chipperfield Architects has completed a residential block, an office building and a skyscraper. The area, known as Lyon Confluence, includes 11 rectangular buildings arranged around courtyards.
Lyon Confluence neighborhood - David Chipperfield Architects was selected to coordinate the three blocks in the neighborhood
photo by Simon Menges © David Chipperfield Architects
Revitalizing the southern end of Lyon
The center of Lyon is located on a peninsula formed by the Rhône and Saône rivers, which merge there. The southern end of this part of the city, known as La Confluence, was mainly used for industry in the past. Over the past decade, however, its revitalization has begun. David Chipperfield Architects was selected to coordinate three blocks as part of a development plan that deals with the second phase of the city center's expansion toward La Confluence. The studio was tasked with adapting the overall development plan to the specific conditions of the plot and the proposed program, as well as developing strategies for public spaces and the organization of the massing and design of the building facades.
Lyon Confluence neighborhood - the project's goal was to create a diverse neighborhood that focuses on socio-environmental sustainability
photo by Simon Menges © David Chipperfield Architects
sustainable development and integration of public spaces
The goal of the project was to create a diverse neighborhood that focuses on socio-environmental sustainability. The area includes various forms of residential, office and health center development. All buildings have an individual character and have been arranged in a way that creates spacious interior gardens. Transparent first floors allow access to these gardens from the street, and their placement, combined with common spaces and commercial establishments, fosters a vibrancy to the surrounding public spaces.
Lyon Confluence neighborhood - model of the estate
© David Chipperfield Architects
Designing three functional buildings
The studio was responsible for coordinating the entire quarter and designing three separate buildings, one on each block. These developments include a residential building for lower-income residents, a mixed-use tower and an office building. All three buildings are characterized by a simple geometric form derived from their design, while they differ in the way they adapt to specific site conditions.
Lyon Confluence district - drawing of a residential building
© David Chipperfield Architects
residential building: wood, concrete
and public space
The residential building for social housing was realized in laminated timber, and its exterior facade is surrounded by concrete elements. Regular strips of profiles and smooth panels in the facade introduce a clear rhythm, emphasizing the structure of the building. Deep recesses in the two elevations create loggias that belong to apartments facing the public square on the south side and the garden on the east side. An entrance hall connects the urban space to the garden, while a café, located nearby, overlooks the public square, creating an open space accessible to residents and visitors.
Lyon Confluence neighborhood
photo by Simon Menges © David Chipperfield Architects
office and residential tower:
views of the city and river
The tower includes offices on the lower floors and apartments on the upper floors. Together with a second tower designed by Aires Mateus, it provides a clear entry point into the new district. In response to the dense development in the surrounding area, the building has been fitted with large windows at the corners on the office levels, and the apartments have corresponding balconies that offer views of the city and the river. A concrete façade with distinctly textured planks emphasizes the building's sculptural character.
Lyon Confluence district - drawing of the office building
© David Chipperfield Architects
office building on the riverbank:
flexibility and integration with the surroundings
The office building is located on the riverbank and has been designed with flexibility and the possibility of future conversion to apartments in mind, ensuring the long-term functionality of the building. The two main elevations are flanked by balconies and face the river and the garden, respectively. These elevations are accented by reinforced concrete columns that project in front of a recessed facade made of wood. The building's central hall connects to an open staircase, visible on the west elevation, providing a direct connection to the garden.
Elaborated: Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of David Chipperfield Architects.
