TEXT_With 81 classified or registered monuments in an area larger than the entire Upper Town, the municipality of Laon is home to the largest historical protection zone in France.
As the perimeter of this area of around seven hectares is defined by historic ramparts, it can be considered as an enclave with a single point of access from the rest of the town.
Three registered historic monuments dating from the 17th century can be found on the Saint-Vincent site: the ancient abbey which subsequently became the abbey residence, the powder magazine and the Etang aux Moines. The floor finishes and the basements of the area are also protected.
Our project for modifying the historic protection and development plan (PSMV) for the Arsenal Saint-Vincent sector which was commissioned by the municipality of Laon has the aim of encouraging the urban development of this area which was previously considered sacrosanct.
This plan for some urban intervention close to the historic centre represents the only real estate opportunity in the Upper Town. The aim of the plan must be to compensate as much as possible for the deficiencies of this part of Laon – of which the clearly substandard hotel and residential markets are obvious examples.
The project responds to these two issues with an approach committed to the pioneering use of sustainable development in sensitive locations.
The proposed programme includes:
− improved hotel facilities including a three-star hotel, lodges, and the potential for restoring other buildings
− improved residential facilities with private gardens and all related services,
− a cultural hub with, notably, an exhibition space in the powder magazine
− a more grandiose point of access to the site which acts as a point of integration into the surrounding urban tissue
Saint-Vincent, Laon, 2005
- PROGRAM_modification of the PSMV of the Saint-Vincent sector
- LOCATION_Laon (02)
- SURFACE AREA_7ha.
- CLIENT_municipality of Laon
- DESIGNER:_Agence Patrick Chavannes
- ROLE_general urban design role
- PHASE_study
- COLLABORATORS_engineers : SOGETI ingénieurie