Case Studies

 

Nemausus Experimental Scheme - Nimes, France

 
Notable Features
 
bullet Non traditional design
bullet Experimental approach
bullet Use of thin reinforced concrete
bullet Use of standardized metal panels
bullet Aluminium cladding
bullet Reuse and recycling potential
bullet Waste minimization

Basic Information
 
bullet Location: Nimes, France
bullet Structure : Thin reinforced concrete with aluminium cladding
bullet Building Type: 4-Storey Low-rise Social Housing Scheme
bullet Completion: 1985-1987
bullet Total Floor Area: 10,300 m2
bullet Architect: Jean Nouvel

Overview
 

This social housing scheme is experimental in nature located in Nimes, France. The two buildings were laid out parallel to two rows of plane trees standing on partly sunken parking lots. There are 114 units of three kinds – simplex, duplex, and triplex – resulting in 17 types of units.

 

Site Layout Plan

 

Design Concept and Principles
 

The designer’s intention was "to depart from the general character of past public housing." The buildings of this social housing scheme is informed by various principles such as abundance of space as the main criteria; a wide variety of plans on offer with single levels, split levels, and tri-levels; minimizing of covered collective areas; distribution by external stairs and landings on the north facades; spacious terrace-balconies on the south facades; simple construction in thin concrete with aluminium cladding.
 

View from the East, departure from the safe character
 

Duplex Unit and Single Unit
Plans and Sections.
 

External Staircases on the north - avoiding strong south sun.

 

Metal Cladding on as major material.

 

The climate also suggests maximum opening to the exterior, the designers included long terrace balconies, and garage-type doors opening the full facade width of apartments so as to extend the living area to the outside.

 

   
Standardization
 

The struggle of introducing varieties into standardized projects always stays with housing projects. In this case, open layout and semi-transparent partition, borrowed from office design, as well as multi-level strategy provide the basis of variety. What is valuable in this social housing scheme is its experimental nature which offers a much higher degree of flexibility and the use of non-traditional design elements which normally are difficult to be accepted. 
 

 

Elements of Open Layout and partitioning borrowed from office design

 

The metal-clad caterpillar like structures, called Nemausus1, is a radical departure from the existing local stock of stucco and terra-cotta-tile low-income housing. The justification is on the identified target audiences whom were later reported as tenants under 40 with some sort of "artistic inclination". Such a departure from the norms is therefore accepted by the market, i.e. the target audience. This built example might offer only little insights into the issue of C & D waste, but the importance of such lies on its experimental nature that prompt to new visions in the local construction industry. To introduce this kind of "experiment" and variety into public housing, perhaps what needs to be formally justified is the question of equality and homogeneity that was emphasized previously.

Reuse and Recycling
 

The use of standardized metal panels as finishing material allows replacement of individual panels or elements whenever necessary. The replaced metal panel on the other hand is able to be recycled without generating any significant amount of demolition waste. When the building is to be demolished one day, all the metal cladding can also be recycled or reused else where. Although the appropriateness of using metal cladding in Hong Kong context is arguable perhaps for its industrial appearance, ease of abuse and so on, the idea of replaceable and recyclable finishing cladding is certainly a plausible one in terms of minimizing demolition waste and ultimate material recycling.

 

Conclusion
 

Although the Architect admits that Nemasus 1’s industrial aesthetic and loft-style interiors do not hold universal appeal, pleasing all potential occupants was not a criterion of the project. Innovation is certainly a plausible word. In order to facilitate innovative approach, it is encourage experimentation rather than situating oneself onto a safe position of pleasing all potential occupants. Without the attempt of experimentation, there is little chance of generating innovative ideas particularly within a context of extreme constraints.

 

Structural Details

Reference
 

Levene, Richard C., Fernando Marquez Cecilia ed. "Nemausus Experimental Scheme." Jean Nouvel 1987-94. El Croquis 65/66 (Oct 1994): 94 -111. 

Stein, Karen D. "Esprit Nouvel: Three Projects, Nimes, France" Architectural Record 176 (Jun 1988): 128-35. 

"Nemausus 1, Nimes, France" GA Houses 23 (Aug 1988): 50-59.
 

All images are cited from El Croquis 65/66.

 

Low-Waste Buildings Technologies & Practices
Home