Metz Technopole has been growing rapidly since 1984. More than three hundred firms and multiple teaching hubs have settled in the direct area. Along that formidable development, the mission of this site states the same: to become a pioneer hub, dedicated to environmental innovation. Arpentère studio drew plans to integrate this new district into the surrounding urban fabric, with the ongoing challenge of making it an example of a technological, ecological and sustainable neighborhood. Among other things, a housing zone and the development of service sector areas are planned.
A strong choice has been made: to promote nature in the city. Hence a major public space will be created. A twelve hectares park, which will be called the Vallon, will take place in direct proximity with the buildings. Composed with three successive soils, from the wettest to the driest, it will be crossed by a web of paths that let pedestrians enjoy a continuity of agricultural landscape. Reed beds, meadows and pastures, orchards and gardens, will cover the floor and form an ecological corridor. All of it will respect and develop the conclusions of the fauna-floral study that was delivered on site in 2017. Along with sports trail, some observation points will be disseminated around the park, so that visitors can have a discreet and respectful look at the lively environment that flourish around water.
Water management is quite original here. We decided to collect and pool all the upstream water from the district to create a system of basins, ditches and reed beds that form the heart of the Parc du Vallon. This solid network has been created in the remnants of an existing and imperfect landscape. Indeed this area had already been utterly damaged by archeological excavation: in the middle of this former farmland lying fallow, a Roman villa was found. Hence, ground levels were uneven, offering a range of different levels. We used this specificity as an asset, and developed these horizons to connect the park to the rest of the district.
This network of waterways will let the flood from the city reach retention ponds, created in soil crevices. These ponds are thought to stay emerged all year long so that a decantation can occur. All of them will lead to the reed breeds, whose role is to purify the air thanks to the phytoremediation of plants. Reeds and marsh iris will be perfect refuges for tree frogs, salamanders, dragonflies and ducks. There’s absolutely no doubt they’ll rapidly settle in the environment.
Another keyspace of this project is the brand new Grigy plaza. Located in between the already inhabited hamlet and the new district, it will constitute a visual eye-catcher that acts as a graft. Floors, lights and trees have been used as tools to develop a frugal space with multiple possible uses, and one everlasting purpose: being a welcoming place.
Project Data
Landscape architect: arpentère
Client: SAREMM 57
Cost of works: 24 M€ HT
Surface area: 2,2 ha
Partner: Atelier Choiseul, Ingerop
Year completed: 2023
Photo credits:
Karolina Samborska and Arpentère
