Project
Place Gambetta
Category
Best Implemented Landscape Architecture Project
About the project
A synthesis of quality green space, urban infrastructure, heritage and craftsmanship: West 8, together with Landscape Architect Sabine Haristoy, have redesigned the historic plaza and lush garden of Place Gambetta.
Previously overwhelmed with heavy traffic, relocating vehicles and providing a generous space for bikes and pedestrians meant the renovated square is now a newly rejuvenated, vibrant and green environment in the heart of Bordeaux.
Framing the square with a dappled canopy, the design preserves existing centenary trees and introduces a variety of over fifty new trees. Complementing the 18th-century façades of the surrounding buildings, with the use of limestone throughout, the project also includes a natural meeting point with a new fountain dedicated to the medieval French queen Eleonore D’Aquitaine. West 8 began working on Place Gambetta after winning the design competition in 2016. After two years of construction, the park was opened in February 2021.
Location
1 Pl. Gambetta, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Project implementation year
2021
Project website
https://www.west8.com/projects/place_gambetta/
Additional information
https://urbannext.net/west8/west-8-wins-competition-for-place-gambetta-bordeaux/
https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/nouvelle-aquitaine/gironde/bordeaux/a-bordeaux-la-nouvelle-place-gambetta-etait-ouverte-ce-vendredi-1964218.html
https://www.sudouest.fr/gironde/bordeaux/bordeaux-l-association-aux-arbres-citoyens-se-dresse-contre-la-nouvelle-place-gambetta-1401092.php
Applicant and authors of the project
West 8.
Award-winning international office for bespoke urban design, landscape architecture and infrastructure projects, founded in 1987 with offices in North America, The Netherlands and in Belgium. West 8 has an extensive portfolio of urban master plans and designs, landscape interventions, waterfront projects, parks, squares and gardens. The firm also develops concepts and visions for large-scale planning issues.
Project by West 8 together with Landscape Architect Sabine Haristoy.
Other participants
Bordeaux Métropole (client)
Sabine Haristoy (landscape architect, botanist)
Cetab (engineer)
Adema (traffic engineer)
Les Éclaireurs (lighting)