MAYENNE SPACE
Laval / 2015
The project is part of an exceptional, centuries-old woodland landscape composed of oaks, ash trees, and sculptural lime trees planted on embankments. This heritage gives the site a picturesque authenticity that will contrast with the modern design of the facility. The project also includes the creation of a playground and the extension of a remarkable wetland.
The Naturalist Concrete Driveway: Wild Animal Tracks as a Decorative Motif
The concrete of the Grand Mail Bocager will be made of light-colored, high-quality concrete, the surface of which will be polished with a mechanical trowel. The concrete will be resistant to heavy road surfaces. In keeping with the spirit of the custom-made project, and in keeping with the spirit of the site, the naturalistic bocage theme will be echoed on the ground, combining decoration and ecology.
To develop the structural axis, during the setting of the concrete, animal prints 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 constituted by the hedgerows on the embankment. The creation of animal paw matrices is done from molds.
We are considering markings corresponding to the many species of fauna present in the Mayenne bocage: Red fox, Caziot's deer, Wild boar, Great spotted woodpecker, Common redshank, Little ringed plover, Stonechat... To raise awareness of nature protection, traces of animals that have disappeared from Mayenne following human development such as the Iberian lynx, the gray wolf and even the brown bear.
Concept: Schist slabs will form foundations supported by native trees as an allegory of benevolent nature.
These living sculptures will be protected for the first few years, and will become more beautiful over time, eventually becoming remarkable, century-old sculptural trees.
The ecological lighting of the Grand Mail Bocager:
The plan of the Grand Mail is rectilinear, structuring the entire 10-hectare master plan. This wide pedestrian walkway at the center of the project will connect the various facilities and future activities that 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 integrates the modernity of the facility into the site.
The pedestrian walkway extends for nearly 550 meters, including phase 2 of the project. The longitudinal section necessarily has inflections to adapt to the natural terrain and connect delicately to the forecourt of the cultural and sports facility. However, the line of light is strictly rectilinear, the height of the lamps varies slightly, creating scenic effects.
We propose to provide minimal lighting in the center of the path so as not to disturb the wildlife that thrives in the hedgerows on either side of the Grand Mail. Thus, suspended luminaires only provide the bare minimum of PMR-compliant lighting.
This industrial equipment is inexpensive and extremely robust. Occupancy sensors allow the lights to be turned off when the space is not occupied.