Located in the heart of the Mansart district of Villeurbanne, an area marked by a strong industrial history, the M45 building proposes a contemporary vision of the “Productive City”. This bold and innovative project is a true bridge between the city’s industrial past and the modern needs of a multi-use space, combining commercial and production areas.

Industrial History Incorporated into Architecture

The design of the M45 is a tribute to Villeurbanne’s rich industrial heritage. Rather than erasing the past, the project seeks to integrate and update it, creating a building that conserves historical elements while meeting contemporary demands. This hybrid building blends features of an old hangar with modern design, resulting in a structure that aims to represent the region’s industrial history in every detail of its construction.

Compact and adaptable design

The M45 is conceived as a compact building with a reduced core, divided into three main volumes. This division allows for the mutualization of emergency exits, handled along external walkways that create a visual rhythm in the delivery yards and organize visual openings in the heart of the block. This design not only facilitates access and circulation, but also allows for a variety of uses and programmatic mixes. With large spaces of generous height, the M45 can house commercial, residential, educational and productive activities.

Versatile and Reversible Spaces

The building is designed to evolve as the needs of its occupants change. The M45’s reversible architecture allows for easy renovations and adaptations, ensuring that the spaces can be reconfigured for different purposes over time. The ground and second floors are home to small craft cells, while the upper floors are intended for offices and commercial use, but can also be adapted for other functions.

Essentialist architecture

The architecture of the M45 is essentialist, almost “in the bone”, characterized by a functional simplicity that does not sacrifice aesthetics. The configuration of the building, subdivided into smaller units, provides access to the heart of the block, facilitating passage and connection between the different blocks. Each block has a lean circulation core, complemented by walkways that connect the buildings, creating a dynamic and interconnected space.

Harmonic Integration with the Urban Context

The M45 project not only preserves Villeurbanne’s industrial history, but also integrates harmoniously into the existing urban fabric. The area’s creative economy is encouraged, providing a space where small-scale production can take place within urban centers. This approach seeks to promote a more compact and functional city, where different activities coexist and complement each other.

The M45 building is an example of how architecture can be a bridge between the past and the present, respecting and integrating history while meeting modern needs. With a contemporary vision of the “Productive City”, the M45 offers reversible and adaptable spaces, an essentialist architecture and a harmonious integration with the urban context. It is a testament to how intelligent design can transform and revitalize industrial areas, keeping the memory of the past alive while looking to the future.