Place Gutenberg  --

The aim of this project is to offer a double perception of this public space, which is generous and outward looking, opening up towards the neighbourhood, but also protective and inward looking, offering sheltered and calm spaces for the public when they are within the plaza.

The structure of the space is inspired by traces of the past, the extension of the Montessuy fort, whose outline follows the fragmented and fractured, deconstructed pentagonal shape. The project is structured by a major central space and smaller more intimate spaces for daily activities. To the West, a large lawn area is raised 50cm above the level of the paved plaza. On a slope such as a comfortable sunbed, it is an invitation to relax and successfully underlines the outlook towards the Monts d’Or. The entire space is designed to facilitate pedestrian circulation, whilst encouraging the public to take ownership of the space. Our approach in terms of the rainwater collection aims to achieve a balance between hardscape surfaces and porous ones, and the grading has been shaped in order to direct the run-off towards the planted areas, which are slightly sunken from the paved finished level, in order to maximise water collection.