Description

In 2013, the “Folies du XXIe siècle” was announced as a new initiative to enrich Montpellier which has enjoyed a comparatively progressive urban design policy since the 1970s. After the war in Algeria and Franco’s takeover of Spain, Montpellier experienced rapid growth, and urban expansion proceeded at a fast pace. Projects such as the brutalist ensemble of the former town hall (1974-75) by Jean-Claude Deshons and Philippe Jaulmes and the “Triangle” high-rise (1970) by Pierre Tourre, with flats, a hotel and shops, which stands next to it on the Place de la Comédie, along with the adjacent “Polygone” shopping centre (1975) and the postmodern “Antigone” residential quarter (1989) by Ricardo Bofill behind it, were attempts to tie the radiant heritage of the city with grand architectural gestures while at the same time promoting urban expansion. The projects each revitalised former military sites and today shape the exciting image of Montpellier as a balancing act between old and new.

Urban development in the city is now coordinated with the wider region as part of the “Schéma de Cohérence Territoriale” which encompasses 31 surrounding municipalities and has become a model strategy incorporating progressive participatory methods and nature protection measures. As part of this, eleven spectacular high-rise apartment buildings are to be realised as “Folie Architecturale of the 21st century”, of which two have been built. Of these, the second is most impressive: the “Arbre Blanc” on the banks of the river Lez opposite “Antigone”. The “White Tree” is a joint project, originally submitted to the City of Montpellier’s “Folies” competition in 2015 by the architects Suo Fujimoto, Nicolas Laisné and OXO together with the project developers Proméo and Evolis and financial backing from a bank.

The tower has a kidney-shaped floor plan, but its signature feature is the wild array of white balconies that shoot out in all directions. The effect is made all the more stunning by the delicacy of their minimal constructions. Anchored back to the tower by slender tension members, the balconies project up to 6 metres. Some of them are even interconnected, and all have expansive views over the cities as well as their neighbours. At such dizzying heights, this vertical garden of balconies, with only net-like railings as protection, is of astonishing lightness. To the south the silhouette of the La Grande-Motte estate from the 1960s defines the horizon, a fine strip of glinting Mediterranean. To the northeast lies the centre of Montpellier, the central axis of “Antigone” running as far as the “Triangle”, with the medieval church towers pricking the sky behind it.

The balconies vary in size and at first glance their placement in relation to each other, and the angles at which they jut out of the façade, also seems arbitrary. But the apparent jumble, perhaps a carry-over from the cardboard model phase, has method to its arrangement. The balconies relate to each other in such a way that they act as sunshades without obscuring the view. Where this was not always possible, lattice frames act as additional brise-soleils. Their number increases towards the top and the top floor and the roof garden are surrounded by a ring of these sunshades.

The Arbre Blanc is a luxury object, of that there is no question. As a “folly”, this may be legitimate. Its flats, some of which are two storeys high, feature stunning rooms with picturesque views, but are also at times oddly shaped, a product of the floor plan. Because the balconies shade the façade, it is possible to retract the glazed windows completely, even in the height of summer, so that one can live outdoors, so to speak.

A colourful garden with herbs and gardens extends along the river at ground level next to the restaurant. Like the terrace bar at floor 17 and the gallery, also on the ground floor, these functions allow the neighbourhood and visitors to occupy parts of the building. After all, the affluent residents have their own communal roof terrace for their own use.

Originally published in Bauwelt 22.2019, pp. 26-31, abridged and edited for Building Types online, translated by Julian Reisenberger

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