Lacaton & Vassal, Frédéric Druot and Christophe Hutin's Transformation of 530 Dwellings was the most significant building of 2016
This led to a prioritisation of social housing retrofitting at the forefront of architectural priorities.
The transformation of 530 dwellings showed the French government that instead of demolition, there was a viable alternative to social housing, and how significant improvements can be made with relatively modest efforts.
Founders Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal have been pursuing a philosophy for decades – "never demolish, always transform".
It brought global attention to this ethos, which resonated very strongly with a new generation of architects faced with disastrous environmental and housing crises.
"A redefined notion of the actual role of an architect".
They eschew the hallowed mentions of revered thinkers and the sentimentalising of 'the future of architecture'. They haven't given a talk at a TED conference. Nevertheless, their work is more pressing than that of many of their counterparts, since they're campaigning for buildings that are otherwise destined to be demolished.
As global acclaim swelled throughout their career, Lacaton & Vassal had been years since their founding in 1987 experimenting with how limited budgets, small gestures and everyday materials can be effectively exploited, be it for a personal abode or a modern arts venue.
The Grand Parc, otherwise known as the Transformation of 530 Dwellings, was one of a number of initiatives that signalled a shift by the organisation into the area of social housing. The drive for this development came in 2004, when the French cultural department announced several billion euros of funding for urban regeneration schemes.
In the case of the country's commonly-criticised post-war council estates, the real significance of this "renewal" - a phrase many across the UK and Europe know well - meant pulling them down and replacing them with smaller, more costly homes.
It was fantastic that funding was allocated to disadvantaged areas, but we wished it was utilised effectively.
In response, the architects at Lacaton & Vassal, along with former colleague Frederic Drurot, wrote a manifesto titled 'Plus' – meaning 'more' – which presented several case studies showing how, through straightforward, cost-effective methods, existing estates could not only be updated, but also improved for residents to the best extent possible – all for a lower cost than would be incurred by demolition and building anew.
This manifesto was where the duo first introduced their guiding principle, encapsulated in the phrase: "Don't knock it down, destroy it or swap it out; all the time, add to it, flip it, and reinvent it!"
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Tour Bois-le-Prêtre paved the way for the Bordeaux scheme, amongst other things by giving residents confidence that its architects were not colluding with "the men in suits, the enemy", as Lacaton herself described.
Clearly evident in the manifesto and evident in the projects of Lacaton & Vassal, was a gesture that would soon become a defining feature for the architects, and most particularly at The Transformation of 530 Dwellings - the winter garden.
Inspired by a variety of styles, including historic glasshouses and agricultural greenhouses as well as the Case Study House programme, these gardens featured a support-like framework attached to the outside of existing buildings, updating often dull facades with large, single panes of polycarbonate glass.
Rarely has Mies's oft-mooted phrase 'less is more' seemed so apt.
Not only did this insulate the building – the studio referred to it as a form of "living insulation" – but it also increased the available living space significantly at the same time. When the polycarbonate partitions are slid open, they reveal balconies with commanding views of Bordeaux.
Each of the 530 apartments in the Grand Parc project has had winter gardens built in, giving each home an extra 3.8 metres of depth – effectively doubling the size in some cases – manufactured in concrete and steel to avoid any disruption to residents.
"A person who's resided in the same location for 30 years with a small window, all of a sudden acquires expansive vistas and around 25 to 30 square metres of additional space, prompting them to think, 'I could position the table over there, a sofa here, plants at the balcony', and a remarkable transformation occurs," Anne Lacaton noted in an interview with The Architectural Review.
The bulk of the project's funding went towards the development of these winter gardens, while the remaining funds were allocated for more general improvements. Nevertheless, the underlying architecture of the block remained unaltered, with Lacaton & Vassal focusing instead on maximising space and light, allowing residents to adapt the layouts to their own preferences.
Priced around £57,000 per apartment, this innovative housing scheme is a remarkable amalgamation of benefits in a single, uncomplicated construction project, encapsulating another of their key principles: "economic efficiency is not a lack of aspiration, but a means to freedom".
Catherine Slessor observed that "rarely has Mies's well-known dictum 'less is more' seemed so fitting."
As the architecture sector grapples with multiple challenges, Lacaton & Vassal's contribution proponents a clear stance – by enhancing existing structures, making meaningful improvements to make them serve those who truly require them the most.
"This could be the case when you visit your doctor, they might inform you that you're healthy, that you don't require any medication," Vassal explained to The Guardian in 2021.
Design should remain the same, if you take the time to observe closely, and look carefully, sometimes the solution is simply to do nothing.
Have we got it spot on? Was the 530 Dwellings in Bordeaux the standout architectural achievement of 2016? Let us know in the comments. We'll be conducting a poll once we've revealed all 25 buildings, to find out which one has made the greatest impact of the 21st century to date.
"Our feature series explores the finest architecture of the century to date, focusing on the most significant structures from the first 25 years of the 21st century.
The cover photograph has been supplied courtesy of our National Photography Collection.
Here is the paraphrased text:
"Architecture in the 21st Century: A Quarter Century's Most Influential Structures"
Architecture in the 21st Century Today we're celebrating a remarkable milestone, 25 years of iconic constructions that have left an indelible mark on the built environment. From futuristic skyscrapers to sustainable eco-buildings, here are 25 structures that epitomise the best of 21st-century architecture, transformed by groundbreaking design, cutting-edge technology, and innovative materials.
1. **Eclipse**: The award-winning skyscraper in Copenhagen is acclaimed for its elegant and minimalist design. It's a 16-storey, energy-efficient building that pushes the boundaries of green architecture.
2. **'The Alibaba-containter system'; Featured container housing units**: Experimenting with sustainability and affordability, this unique architectural concept uses shipping containers to create self-sufficient living spaces.
3. **inHotel Porto**: This ultra-futuristic building in Portugal boasts futuristic windows that change throughout the day, giving it an ethereal, extraterrestrial appearance.
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Renovation of 530 units by Lacaton & Vassal, Frédéric Druot and Christophe Hutin
This list will be updated as the series unfolds.
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