Concept
For the water treatment plant, the architects worked on pure, simple lines. The inspiration behind the graphic, linear forms comes from the strips of natural vegetation and woodland lining the banks of the River Loire.
The landscape is paramount in this project; it clothes a building that blends effortlessly into the surrounding nature as if forming an extension of the natural milieu, of the river banks. The undulating green rooves mimic the rise and fall of the landscape.
Program
A preliminary eco-analysis enabled assessment of the environmental impacts of the project and the technical measures necessary to preserve this Loire valley site, listed as UNESCO world heritage, above and beyond current regulatory requirements.
In accordance with sustainable development principles, the main concern was the project’s integration into the environment. Therefore, particular attention was given to the quality and compactness of the technologies implemented in order to minimize the presence of the facility in the landscape.
In addition to the HQE compliance of the building, the landscape design enabled management of certain constraints related to water treatment plants such as those of an olfactory, acoustic and visual nature.
The sewage works project is associated with an educational circuit; to reach the plant, visitors take a specially designed footbridge, offering an exceptional view over the site. The glass fronted buildings give visitors an uninterrupted view of the water treatment process.
Team
Client
– Client organization: AgglO (group of Orléans and Val de Loire local authorities)
– Client assistant: Hydratec
Design consultants
– Representative: Degrémont / Suez Environnement
– Architect: Arte Charpentier Architects
– Architect Partner: Goes Peron
– Landscaping: T.U.P
– Technical inspection: Qualiconsult
– Health and safety coordination: Francis Klein
– User: Lyonnaise des Eaux France, Degrémont Services
– Project management, scheduling, coordination: Safege
– DGT sub-contractor for civil engineering: EBL
Project specifics
– Project address: Ile Arrault
– Post code: 45 234
– City: Orléans
– Competition winner: 2008
– Delivery: 2013
– Project programme: design, construction and commissioning of the Ile Arrault water treatment centre
– Surface area: 7,600m²
