The project is part of the master development plan for District 1 of the “Laubis” joint development area. It was the result of the “Europan” competition won by the urban planning team AR357, and is located on a plot in the suburb of Seilh, near the Airbus factory and the Toulouse exhibition and conference center MEETT. District 1 is the starting point of the joint development area.
Project Name: Melrose
Studio Name: Taillandier Architectes Associés
Location: ZAC Laubis, 31840 Seilh (France)
Clients: Ametis, Ideom
Surface: 3 148 m2
Cost: 6.8 M€
Delivery date: November 2021
Principal Architect: TAA Toulouse | Head of project: Anthony Morinière | Head of project deputy: William Florenza | Head of construction: Jean Pinsson
Associated Architect: Lot B9 et B12 : BETILLON & FREYERMUTH Architectes (FFFBBB) | Lot B8 : AR35
Photographer: Roland Halbe
Following the guiding principle of “keeping the neighborhood,” we proposed a series of terraced residential units arranged around a courtyard during the competition. District 1 is divided into several plots: B8, B9, B10/B11, and B12. Plot B8 was developed by AR357, plots B9 and B12 by the FFFBBB agency, and plot B10/B11 by the TAA agency.
The Laubis development is strategically located at the vibrant northern gateway of Toulouse and on the edge of the historic center of Sayil. The district benefits from its location on the banks of the Garonne River, where wildlife thrives in the natural ditch. This ditch provides an east-west orientation that urban planners and landscape designers have taken full advantage of. All ground floor units have private gardens, while first floor units feature south-facing loggias. Parking spaces are distributed around the tree-lined communal courtyard.
Following urban planners’ guidelines, the buildings are arranged in an east-west direction to create views of the Garonne River. Larger apartment buildings are situated at the corners of the plot. Two shared north-south parking lots and an east-west pedestrian walkway are part of the building structure, forming a strip organized around an open public space. The mix of apartment types is reflected in the varied building heights.
This grid defines a strip housing structure, requiring work on height typologies. We defined the functions of a typical T3 and adapted them by adding R+1 or R+2 volumes to the ground floor. This spatial organization creates a dynamic interplay of shapes and volumes, enriching the urban landscape. The strip layout also allowed coordinated work on the fencing.
Different typologies create an interplay of depth and intimacy in the garden. Both townhouses and mid-range units have north entrances and south gardens, achieved by creating a central alley. Two-thirds of the houses have a central courtyard that provides natural light to all rooms, enhancing the quality of the house. All houses have a separate entrance and a south-facing garden, starting from a T3 base. The mid-range units are also all walk-in. The smaller units are located on the ground floor and enjoy a private entrance and garden. The larger units are built on the upper floors and benefit from a south-facing loggia and private balcony to the east or west.
A series of T4 or T4 Chartreuse units on the ground floor, adjacent to a shared courtyard, create green interior spaces within the property and a strong sense of urbanity in the southern part of the plot. Each apartment design aims to meet residents’ needs and evolve with them. For this project, we designed a seires of furniture to personalize the private spaces. This optional furniture, placed at the end of the garden, includes a compost bin, water collector, and summer kitchen, offering new usage options. Outdoor furniture and adjacent rooms are integrated into the built grid, with changes driven by architecture and defined by the following diagram.
Bicycle parking spaces are located in the common courtyard and in the two middle apartments. Waste storage and display facilities are at the edge of the property, near vehicle access.
Starting from the common foundation of the four plots, the development concept integrates urban diversity into the master plan while controlling its development. Special attention was given to the area opposite the parking lot. As an extension of the eastern parking lot, we proposed a multifunctional sports field to promote contact between neighborhood children and provide a greater space for communication and discussion. The second available space, adjacent to the western courtyard, was used to create a shared garden.
The shared parking lot complies with the common development area regulations. The asphalt pavement in the vehicle circulation area includes a tree planting pit every four parking spaces, with parking spaces paved with concrete. The central concrete sidewalk harmonizes with the public street. The sports area is made of hammered concrete and features concrete stands and a range of equipment. The shared vegetable garden has a tool storage area.
The Toulouse courtyards, the first elements at the townhouse entrance, consist of a swept concrete path surrounded by a 1.50 m high galvanized steel storage unit and a small green area.
