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The White Tree by Sou Fujimoto Architects, Nicolas Laisné Associés and Manal Rachdi Oxo Architects

By Eric Meunier

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Japanese studio Sou Fujimoto Architects in collaboration with French studios Nicolas Laisné Associés and Manal Rachdi Oxo Architects won the “Architectural Folie of the 21st Century” competition organized by the city of Montpellier in South of France.

Named Arbre Blanc or White Tree, the 17 story apartment builiding is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.

It will feature 120 apartments, a rooftop penthouse bar with panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees, an art gallery and a restaurant.

Would you like to live in such a building?

The White Tree by Sou Fujimoto Architects (1)

The White Tree by Sou Fujimoto Architects (2)

The White Tree by Sou Fujimoto Architects (3)

The White Tree by Sou Fujimoto Architects (4)

The White Tree by Sou Fujimoto Architects (5)

The White Tree by Sou Fujimoto Architects (6)

The White Tree by Sou Fujimoto Architects (7)

The White Tree by Sou Fujimoto Architects (8)

The White Tree by Sou Fujimoto Architects (9)

The White Tree by Sou Fujimoto Architects (10)

The White Tree by the architects:

“This ‘Folie Architecturale of the 21st century’ was mainly the brainchild of an encounter between Japan and the Mediterranean. The cross-cultural endeavour embodies modern Montpellier. It is also an interchange between two generations of architects, with Japanese firm Sou Fujimoto at the state of its art and the young French generation represented by Manal Rachdi Oxo Architects and Nicolas Laisné Associés. Other firms were brought in to take part in this one-of-a-kind venture: Montpellier developers Promeo Patrimoine and Evolis Promotion, local stakeholders who will ensure this iconic project will represent success for the entire region.

The new multipurpose tower called Arbre Blanc (white tree) is designed for housing, a restaurant, an art gallery, offices, a bar with a panoramic view and a common area. From the project’s concept phase, the architects were heavily inspired by Montpellier’s tradition of outdoor living. The tower is strategically located between the city centre and the newly developed districts of Port Marianne and Odysseum, midway between the ‘old’ and the new Montpellier.It is also situated at the crossroads of several thoroughfares: the Lez River, the motorway and the pedestrian/cycling path along the banks of the octroi de Montpellier, or land grant. The project will kick off with a grand gesture to extend a landscaped park along the Lez and stretch out the length of Christophe Colomb Place. The eastern face curves along the edge of the roundabout while the western side on the Lez is convex to create the widest panorama possible. The curvature serves two purposes because this part of the facade offers the best exposure and viewpoint but does not block the view for neighbouring residences.

The building was sited to meld with and defer to its surrounding environment, yet gives it just the right added flair. Arching like a pair of wings hugging the contours of the Lez River down to Pompignane Avenue, Arbre Blanc was intentioned as a natural form that was carved out or sculpted over time by water or wind. It perfectly mimics a tree reshaping itself to grow into its environment yet simultaneously enhancing it by offering much-needed shade.

Despite the name ‘white tree,’ this is by no means an ivory tower. A beat integral to the urban song, the building is destined as a public high-rise built for every soul in Montpellier. The edifice will extend its limbs to all the city’s residents and visitors, from the ground floor restaurant and art gallery to the penthouse bar serving as vista point. This attainable passage will make the tower that much more attractive as a source of pride for Montpellians and a point of interest for tourists.

Of all people, the building is unavoidable for its inhabitants, so a common space has been added on to the public bar where all the co-owners from any floor can have a private taste of the scenic view. Spaces in the flats know no difference between inside and outside – you are free to move through them instinctively. The balconies are proportioned to make you gravitate toward the outdoors, like leaves fanning out to soak up the warm nourishing sunlight.

Rather than an interesting flat, future residents will find a versatile space. Each resident will select a setting (west-facing three-bedroom, southeast two-bedroom, etc.) and a preferred floor plan from a list of possible layouts.”

The White Tree by Sou Fujimoto Architects (11)
Axonometric Floor Plan
The White Tree by Sou Fujimoto Architects (12)
Axonometric Floor Plan
The White Tree by Sou Fujimoto Architects (13)
Axonometric Drawing
The White Tree by Sou Fujimoto Architects (14)
South Elevation
The White Tree by Sou Fujimoto Architects (15)
Axonometric View
The White Tree by Sou Fujimoto Architects (16)
Site Plan

Renderings by: RSI-studio

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About Eric Meunier

Currently the Owner and Chief Executive of HODYO Design, Eric Meunier's expertise in the design industry spreads over 20 years. He was the driving force behind HomeDSGN's early success, founding this website in 2011. Today, he loves to channel his passion for design into remodeling houses and transforming interior spaces with his keen eye for detail and architectural finesse. Learn more about HomeDSGN's Editorial Process.

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