The organization of the upcoming Olympic Games presented the Olympic village in Paris on Thursday, under the approving eye of President Emmanuel Macron, among others. The Belgian architect Anne Mie Depuydt also shared in the flowers, because the architect designed a large part of the project.
Five months before the start of the 33rd Olympic Games, the brand new Olympic village was presented in Paris on Thursday. That village should house 14,000 Olympic and 9,000 Paralympic athletes and their entourages next summer. It was completed in 2.5 years. A feat.
The West Flemish architect and urban planner Anne Mie Depuydt (59), who has been active in France for decades, also deserves a lot of credit. Our compatriot coordinated the construction of a large living area and led a team of five architectural firms.
“We were invited by the client at the time to participate in the tender for the development of the Olympic village,” says Depuydt.
“As an architect I have a certain reputation in Paris, where I have already coordinated many large projects. That helped me to be selected in the end.”
Adapted to Paralympians
The assignment was no small task. “We had to build a plinth measuring 258 by 61 meters with twelve residential buildings and an office building,” says Depuydt. “I had to work out the outlines and ensure that all conditions were met.”
“We had to maintain 3,000 beds and 643 homes. There were also a lot of ecological guidelines. For example, there is a building where we recover urine to make manure. It is a very progressive project. Everything is built in wooden construction.”
We had to do a kind of gymnastics to reconcile the many complexities into pleasant homes.
Anne Mie Depuydt, architect
Depuydt and co also faced some serious challenges in terms of accessibility. “After the Games, the buildings will also be used for the Paralympic Games, so all housing units had to be adapted to the Paralympic athletes.”
“It was therefore very complex to meet the specifications. For example, all halls and corridors had to be wide enough and the bathrooms also required specific finishes. We had to do a kind of gymnastics to reconcile the many complexities into pleasant homes. “
Forest of 220 trees and roofs for birds
The Olympic village was built north of Paris in the Saint-Denis and Saint-Ouen districts along the Seine, on a former industrial site of 52 hectares. The entire complex contains 6,000 homes. And of course they still have to serve after the Games.
“The village is first and foremost a project for the local residents. It was not built for the athletes, but as a transformation project from an activity area to a residential area.”
The common thread throughout the project: sustainability.
“For example, water management was very important. There is a large difference in height in the complex, which is why we created a forest of 220 trees that must absorb the water gravitationally. The roofs have also been adapted to bird migration and nests have also been integrated into the facades. .”
The buildings are equipped to cope with the predicted temperature rise in Paris, which will be as warm by 2050 as it is in Seville today
Anne Mie Depuydt, architect
“The buildings are geothermally heated (by geothermal energy, ed.) and can therefore also be refreshed. They are therefore equipped for the predicted temperature rise in Paris, where by 2050 it will be as warm as it is today in Seville. The facades are also equipped with sun blinds.”
However, there was quick criticism of the absence of air conditioning in the buildings. “But so much the better!”, says Depuydt.
“We focus on natural ventilation. Because the buildings are perpendicular to the Seine, the wind can provide even more refreshment. In terms of sustainability, they are currently one step further in France than in Belgium.”
Compliments from the President
Depuydt was present at the official presentation of the village on Thursday. President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, among others, signed and expressed their gratitude to our compatriot.
“What was that conversation with Macron like? Good, he was very accessible and interested and is satisfied with the result,” Depuydt laughs.
“I am especially pleased that the project was completed on time. For the contractors it has been a race against time. Completing a 52,000 square meter site in two and a half years was a feat.”
“Yes, there was a lot of pressure, but I have an incredibly good team. It was exciting. Now I am tired, but very satisfied.”
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2024-03-01 06:11:00
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