Heritage of the shoreline

This project, imbued with all the influences that have shaped my years of study, is the result of an in-depth exploration and a determination to inhabit the terrain of experimentation. Positioned between a canteen, student housing, and workshops, it is ultimately a study on the rehabilitation of former industrial buildings within a unique insular and climatic context. Beyond the city of Le Port, in Réunion Island, how can we re-invest in a partially forgotten block? What role does the resident play in the transformation of a neighborhood, and how can we redefine the meaning of living together?

The rehabilitation program stemmed from a desire to reunite the block around a shared community space. The site lies between the ocean and residential areas, at the heart of an important section of Le Port. The idea of creating a meeting point between these different zones shaped the project’s layout. At its core is a community kitchen, linking a street lined with shops and workshops to a wing of student housing. The 5,600 m² block is structured around three main areas, transitioning from private to public spaces. The design draws upon the existing stone walls, revealing a path parallel to the waterfront, a commercial alley, and living spaces surrounding a shared garden. Several key approaches were implemented: -Surveying the stone rubble walls to preserve as many of the block's characteristic elements as possible. - Partially decongesting and deconstructing the existing buildings. - Adding new levels by building upon the concrete walls of the ground floor, increasing housing capacity and introducing a lightweight wooden frame to expand living spaces. - Proposing an architectural solution to reconnect the block from north to south through a footbridge that spans across all parts of the project. By studying Givoni’s diagram and Le Port’s climatic data, the importance of natural ventilation and the implementation of specific strategies became clear. Given the constraints of rehabilitation, thermal zoning was an essential first step. The block becomes a suspended pathway offering a gentle transition between work, living, and leisure spaces. Nature reclaims a central role, and material sensitivity becomes a key aspect of the rehabilitation process. After the initial deconstruction phases, salvageable materials are stored in the workshops for reuse.