The Architecture of the City

As part of the ‘Lyon Confluence‘ masterplan, designs have been unveiled for ilot A3 – the fist plot to be developed within phase 2 of the extensive project. The ongoing scheme, initiated by the greater lyon authority in 1998, has been developed by Herzog & de Meuron (architecte en chef) in collaboration with Michel Desvigne since 2009. While respecting the city’s unique heritage and identity, the masterplan simultaneously renews the region, offering a range of living accommodation, offices, retail outlets and public facilities.

The newly-built Allianz Riviera Stadium in Nice, France, located 15-km away from Nice’s historical centre, and sitting in the heart of the Éco-Vallée of Plaine du Var, is actually comprised of three projects – a 35,000-seat multi-purpose stadium, a sports museum and an extensive, mixed real-estate development plan – all designed to meet specific environmental and urban integration requirements.

This large-scale intervention works in a coherent and intelligible manner so as to encourage urban synergy.

Largely inspired by a flying bird, the stadium’s overall shape essentially reflects the aim to reinforce the surrounding urban fabric. Likewise, shifting services like parking, underground allows for generous green spaces connecting the building to the rest of the neighborhood.