A former industrial wasteland to the south of the peninsula created by the convergence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon’s La Confluence district has been the focus of an urban redevelopment policy for the past decade. As part of the latest master plan drawn up by Herzog & de Meuron for the second phase of the extension of the city center to La Confluence, architect David Chipperfield has been appointed to coordinate the construction of three urban ensembles comprising eleven buildings – a social housing building, an office building and a mixed-use tower.

Here’s a closer look at these projects, with their rectilinear shapes and mineral facades, which began construction in 2016 and will be completed in early November 2024.

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Chloé Carissimi

“The social housing building is made from cross laminated timber wrapped externally in a precast concrete façade of alternating bands of profiled and smooth panels. Deep recesses in two of its façades create loggias for the apartments facing a public square to the south and the garden to the east. The entrance hall provides a link from street to garden while a café opens towards the public square,” the architect explains.

 

“The mixed-use tower contains offices on the lower floors and apartments above. […] In reaction to its dense context, the building has large windows at its corners on the office levels with corresponding balconies in the apartments, offering views over the city and river.”

 

“The office building is prominently located on the river front and is designed for flexibility and a potential future conversion into apartments, ensuring the long- term sustainability of the building.”

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Lyon Confluence by David Chipperfield Architects, Lyon, Rhône (France)

Programmes: Three urban complexes of eleven buildings (a social housing building, an office building and a mixed-use tower) as part of the second phase of the extension of Lyon’s city center to La Confluence
Clients: Bouygues Immobilier and Linkcity
Architects : David Chipperfield Architects
Gross floor area : 30,000 m²
Photographs: Simon Menges
Completion: november 2024

In 2018, AA explored the theme « Private commissions, public intentions » in its December issue, available in our online store.