Living spaces, cities and regions shaping the built environment for everyone : frugal architecture and sustainable dwelling renovation in Bordeaux : peer-learning visit report

Bordeaux's revitalisation over the past two decades, fuelled by its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2007, showcases what is known as the "Bordeaux model" - a sustainable development strategy centred on preserving heritage and fostering community involvement. Since 2020, the city has promoted frugal architecture, offering guidelines for construction professionals. An excellent illustration of this approach is the transformation of sustainable and innovative social housing in the Grand Parc district, a social housing estate built in the 1950s. It comprises low-rises and towers around a large green space and offers cultural and sporting facilities. The peer learning visit focused on the district's successful reconversion methodology, leading to discussions on innovative housing solutions, addressing urgent environmental and social issues, and exploring enhancing public spaces. More particularly, it focused on the renovation of 530 apartments contained in 3 blocks "Gounod, Haendel and Ingres-G,H,I blocks" a project led by a team of architects composed of Lacaton & Vassal, Frédéric Druot, and Christophe Hutin.