TRÉGEY TOWER
We imagined a resilient architecture, inspired by the heritage of Bordeaux while looking toward a future of frugal construction. The project is a residential tower on the north bank of the Garonne River.
The building is triangular, set like a prow where a boulevard meets a landscaped promenade. These two public spaces define two distinct faces of the project: on the boulevard side, large glazed façades create living rooms like bow-windows; on the promenade side, long balconies extend the apartments.
The tower rises in layers, recalling the composition of Bordeaux’s historic buildings. A transparent base hosts shared spaces, a shop, and workshops. Above it, the first layer of appartments are cantilevered, while the upper layers step back in terraces. The lower layers contain flats, and the upper layer offers
duplexes.
The triangular plan distributes rooms outward with a regular measure: the width of the structural grid, of the living spaces, and of the pairing of two bedrooms. This rythm shapes the façade through a fold that orients living rooms toward the river and expands balconies to create wider depth for each balcony.
A subtle inclination of the piers accentuates this fold, producing a stepped shape or the vertical silhouette. This refinement communicates with the ornamental character of Bordeaux’s architecture. The light concrete façades echo the tones of the city. Their depth forms a protective threshold for outdoor spaces, with columns and spandrels framing horizontal views of the landscape. The regular geometry of the elements makes it possible to build fully prefabricated façades, reducing material use and limiting environmental impact.
The prefabricated pieces were designed to integrate water management directly into their shape. Architecture and construction are conceived as one an economy of means serving resilience, and longevity.
