The first brandnew second arisen already exists

One is small, the other giant. The first brand-new, second arisen already exists. New shopping centres of Saint-Brieuc and le Havre have no a priori nothing in common otherwise have been designed by Reichen and Robert & associates. "We reported the contest with different groups, explains Jacques Lissarrague, one of the associated architects, SPIE real estate in Saint-Brieuc, Vinci estate in le Havre, and in both cases ING Real Estate as Co-promoter.". The cities were very enthusiastic. This mounting that close us companies has led to sharp technical solutions. "The experience of the Agency for urban insertion - Bernard Reichen received the grand prize of urbanism in 2005 - weighed heavy in the negotiations both the challenge for these two operations of downtown revitalization was important. "Our role of architect is the hinge of the creation and the economic reality regardless of the context", says Jacques Lissarrague.

The fields of Saint-Brieuc

Located at the site of a parking lot typical open pit of the years 1960-1970, the new commercial center the fields develops in an area of 13.260 m2dont 11.600 m2de sales area and 640 parking spaces in the basement, for an amount of EUR 22 million free work. "It is not for us to create a flamboyant architecture, on the contrary, it should be integrated into the General volumetry of the neighbourhood," comment on designers. The pole is distinguished by a stencil measured, stalled on key built alignment, as well as treatment of soil in the continuity of the public space. "Internal circulations or simply covered passages are practiced naturally as pedestrian, access to the floor is engaged only in the larger shops", says the project leader. Thus, the opening of the city is clearly displayed, the proximity of the bus terminal adding to the strategic nature of the operation.

The main entrance designated by two in glass prisms exudes a wide forecourt while other access less withdrawals. "Facades are decomposed into two planes forming light offsets to mitigate the effect of mass of a continuous front", noted architect who also sought to pace the whole by the contrast of black and white, flooring panels matricé concrete or crushed stone. Hanging gardens and a vegetated roof complete this book inserted in the city.

The Vauban Harbour Docks

Radical change of scale and scenario in le Havre, where the same designers mission was to lift the veil on the Vauban Docks, miraculously rescued from the Allied bombing of September 1944. The city rebuilt by Auguste Perret, recently classified world heritage of Unesco, wished to resurrect this port heritage, both historical and future potential, evidence on the Frissard Peninsula between basins Vauban and Paul Vatine, high place of departure of the transatlantic races. These warehouses under Customs dating back more than a century who received rare commodities such as coffee or cocoa relive now in the form of a complex of shops and entertainment. Designers have "discovered" the site previously closed to the Havrais: some 69,000 m2réaménagés for EUR 69 million free work and passed under construction at the hands of Unibail Rodamco, current manager owner. The Gigantism of this legacy with the original three streets oriented East-West and four passages North-South did them not fear. "The whole forming a grid of 12 buildings in size and very different structure, tells Jacques Lissarrague;" ambitious, innovative and totally atypical in terms of commercial standards, the project finally appeared as obvious to everyone. "Volumes or constructive methods, structural wood or metal, new or preserved brick equipments... Juggling between the lines, Reichen and Robert & Associates, has managed to create a contemporary and explicit write without upsetting "the collective imagination of the Havrais." Of simple devices and "architectural tools" such as that of boxes, light passing through the walls, kakemonos prescribe facades or Windows Advanced Interior pavement is sufficient to report the renaissance of the place. Other inexpensive as double skin aluminum sheet deployed governing the multiplex or urban marking black and yellow bands as acroterion recall industrial memory of the site by entering his new functions.