MAYENNE AREA
Laval / 2015
The project is part of an exceptional secular bocage frame composed of oaks, ash trees, sculptural lime trees planted on merlons. This heritage gives the site a picturesque authenticity that will contrast with the modern design of the equipment. The project also provides for the creation of a playground and the extension of a remarkable wetland.
The Naturalist Concrete Walkway: Wild animal tracks as a decorative motif
The concrete of the Grand Mail Bocager will be made of light quality concrete, the surface of which will be polished with a mechanical trowel. The resistance will be heavy road. In the spirit of tailor-made creation, linked to the genius of the place, the bocage naturalist theme will be recalled to the ground with a view to combining decoration and ecology.
To develop on the structuring axis, during the setting of the concrete, animal footprints will be applied punctually on the surface in the transverse direction in a subtle way to evoke the crossing of animals between the ecological framework formed by the bocage hedges on the embankment. . The creation of animal paw dies is done from casts.
We are considering markings corresponding to the many species of fauna present in the Mayenne bocage: Red fox, Caziot deer, Wild boar, Great spotted woodpecker, Common redshank, Lesser plover, Shepherd stonechat... To raise awareness of the protection of nature, traces of animals that disappeared from Mayenne as a result of human development such as the pardelle lynx, the gray wolf and even the brown bear.
Concept: Slabs of schist will constitute bases carried by native trees as an allegory of a benevolent nature.
These living sculptures will be protected for the first few years, they will become more beautiful over time. to eventually constitute remarkable centenary scultural trees.
The ecological lighting of the Grand Mail Bocager:
The plan layout of the large mall is straight, it structures the whole of the 10-hectare master plan. This wide pedestrian alley in the center of the project which will connect the various facilities and the future activities which will take place in the eco-district. This straight layout contrasts with the centuries-old design of the preserved bocage hedges. The Grand Mail Bocager creates tension and incorporates modern equipment into the site.
The pedestrian walkway extends over almost 550 meters including phase 2 of the project. The longitudinal section necessarily has inflections to adapt to the natural terrain and connect in finesse to the forecourt of cultural and sports equipment. On the other hand, the line of light is strictly rectilinear, the height of the lamps varies slightly, creating scenic effects.
We suggest lighting the center of the driveway at a minimum so as not to disturb the animal life that thrives in the bocage hedges on either side of the Grand Mail. Thus, suspended luminaires only illuminate the bare minimum to the PMR standard.
This industrial equipment is inexpensive and extremely robust. Presence detectors make it possible to turn off the lamps when the space is not frequented.