As cities evolve, the need to harmonise heritage with modern aspirations grows increasingly significant. The B09 project, designed by France-based architecture practice urbanmakers in collaboration with local design studio Selva & Maugin Architectes, offers a compelling response to the challenges of urban living. Addressing resilience, intimacy and sustainability, this social housing project diaphanously bridges Bordeaux’s storied past with a future defined by inclusivity and environmental stewardship.

Sited along the neighbourhood of Quai des Queyries and adjacent to the riverside garden Parc aux Angéliques in the Bastide-Niel district in France, B09 unfolds a story instituted in Netherlands-based architecture and urban design practice MVRDV’s visionary masterplan for Bordeaux’s precinct. Tasked with transforming 35 hectares of former barracks and rail yards into a vibrant, mixed-use vicinage, the Dutch architects reimagine the historic urban fabric through heliotropic design principles, narrow street grids and a labyrinthine network of blocks. Balancing respect for the past and an eye towards a sustainable future, the masterplan sets the stage for residential design projects to emulate the intimacy and human scale of a traditional European city.

Within this broader canvas, B09 is effectively designed to accommodate 54 social housing units within its inclined, protruding volumes. The residential building deftly addresses the challenges of inhabiting a pre-defined, sculptural form while responding to the nuanced demands of domestic comfort and privacy.

In contrast to imposing rigid modernity, the French architects integrated classic materials and forms that pay homage to Bordeaux’s iconic 18th-century stone city. “The project’s material palette draws from a mineral-inspired aesthetic, adopting warm, sandy tones to echo the textures of traditional Bordeaux architecture,” the design team explains in an official statement. “The facades feature blonde brickwork, seamlessly transitioning into tiled roofing to unify the structure,” they add. The use of natural light and materiality reflects a sensitive reading of the urban context, where each element—from deep loggias to subtly projecting balconies on the southern façade—is poised to enhance the human dimension of a densely populated city.

Elevated on a robust plinth, the residential architecture’s ground floor plan creates a protective, liminal zone that spans the urban thoroughfare and intimate living spaces. This upraised base converges with the floodplain regulations and establishes a deliberate threshold, creating a purposeful spatial transition. Bordeaux’s location along the Garonne River makes flood management a critical consideration. By integrating elevation into the design, the building demonstrates how architecture can proactively address environmental risks while maintaining functional integrity.

Likewise, the expansive vestibule functions as a trodden pathway, “a transitional space that bridges the public and private realms while also serving as a pleasant, pedestrian-friendly area”. This open passageway manages light and movement within a refined, contemporary design approach. Such spaces reflect a broader trend in urban planning, where architecture is increasingly seen as a tool to bridge social divides and create inclusive neighbourhoods.

The residential interiors feature a linear layout with meticulously planned circulation corridors exemplifying an urbane spatial orchestration. Every passage and pause is designed to foster spontaneous interaction and quiet reflection, with details such as precisely proportioned lintels, intricate entablatures, sleek bays and railings reinforcing the narrative of domestic comfort. The integration of windows and loggias, outfitted with opaque lower panels and built-in storage cabinets, further enhances the transpicuous connection between built form and urban fabric. At the same time, habitable rooftops with tropéziennes extend the living envelope, adding a versatile dimension to everyday living. “Roofs play a central role in the district’s architectural identity, shaping a varied silhouette with scales and sloping planes,” the architects share.

Aligned with the masterplan’s emphasis on green spaces and sustainability, the project’s material selection and spatial configurations are designed to mitigate the urban heat island effect, maximise natural ventilation and integrate with the nearby public park and the river. B09’s French architecture responds to the challenges of the urban environment and sets a benchmark for the future of inclusive, sustainable design.

B09 is an example of urban resilience that redefines social rental housing as a living enclave where every detail contributes to a comprehensive future. “Through its integration of classic materials, human-centred design and thoughtful spatial organisation, it not only respects but also enhances the district’s dynamic identity. This integration of modernity and tradition establishes B09 as a benchmark for inclusive and sustainable housing reflecting the design ethos of Bastide-Niel district,” the design team proclaims in the official release.

Project Details

Name: B09
Location: 105 Quai des Queyries, Bastide Niel, 33000 Bordeaux
Lead Architect: urbanmakers
Associate Architect: Selva & Maugin Architectes
Urban Planner: MVRDV
Client: Domofrance
Area: 4,000 sq m
Year of Completion: 2024