Project in Choisy-le-Roi

In Choisy-le-Roi, a suburb of Paris in the Val-de-Marne department, BNP Paribas Real Estate and Groupe Duval have commissioned the architectural firm Brenac & Gonzalez & Associés (BGA) to design a new mixed-use development along the Seine River. The project includes 386 housing units, a nursery, and three commercial spaces, with a planned completion date of 2028. The site is located in a triangular area bounded by the Seine, Guynemer Avenue, and the railway network of Austerlitz Station.

Site Characteristics

The development is situated in an area that has historically been isolated from the city center and marked by underused land. The project aims to reestablish a connection between the city and the Seine by creating a cohesive urban environment that integrates residential, educational, and commercial functions. This approach seeks to transform the area into a more vibrant and accessible part of the city.

Design Features

The development will feature a built perimeter with varying building heights from R+1 (one floor above ground) to R+9 (nine floors above ground), creating visual access to the Seine and a central landscaped island open to the river. The building facades are designed to engage with the surrounding environment, avoiding the common issue of "back facades" that face away from public spaces. This design strategy promotes a sense of unity without enforcing a monotonous appearance.

Urban Front and Layout

Along Louis Luc Avenue, the urban front will include variations in building volumes and visual gaps, with a sculptural staircase serving as a focal point. Facing the Esplanade des Accords de Paris, the buildings will feature successive setbacks from R+5 to R+9, reducing their overall height and creating a more open silhouette. Along the Seine, a carefully planned layout includes suspended gardens that connect the buildings, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality.

Mixed-Use Program

The mixed-use development includes 168 apartments across four buildings, each with wide overhanging balconies offering views of the Seine. A student residence will provide 218 rooms, along with a cafeteria and a fitness area accessible from the esplanade. The nursery will have a terrace facing the river and access to a shared garden. Three commercial spaces on the ground floor will contribute to the local economy and community life. At the quays, three collective residential spaces will include shared areas like libraries, bike workshops, and festive rooms.

Functional Layout and Sustainability

The project uses the elevation difference between the avenue and the quay to create a two-level functional layout: the ground level of the quay and a mezzanine. Parking spaces and technical areas are located beneath the suspended garden, above the historical flood level of the Seine. This design hides technical elements while maintaining a continuous green landscape, forming a "green hill" that aligns with the site's topography. The slope becomes a key design element, facilitating both practical use and openness to the river.