Château de Vincennes' eco-bus station

This project to renew the identity, status and operation of the Château de Vincennes bus station raised serious questions about the approach to be adopted. This operation will indeed mark a new stage in the evolution of this hybrid site which constitutes a real interface between the Bois de Vincennes and the urban fabric of the city.

A project on the border of the city and the woods, structured in three components: An urban base, on which islands of activity are found, sheltered by a large shaded area.

Our project develops three main principles to link this transport facility to the city.
A project on the border of the city and the woods, structured in three components: An urban base, on which islands of activity are found, sheltered by a large shaded area.

First of all, by creating a wide pedestrian-friendly floor. This acts as an urban platform on which all the activities and services offered to travellers are then deployed. In addition, we intend to create a new cover in the form of a large protective shade.

A proliferating structure
With a surface area of approximately 2,500 m2, it covers the entire passenger area under a free volume six metres high at accesses 3 and 4 of the Metro. The singularity of this urban shelter is finally due more to its intrinsic constitution than to its form - in this sense we have followed in the footsteps of Jean Prouvé. It is relatively simple and, above all, evolutionary. Its modular and proliferating structure in fact allows evolution over time. It can be extended or shortened according to future operating needs without altering its identity. Entirely made up of metal profiles, the structure consists of an orthonormed grid of round posts spaced 7.50 metres apart. These support a network of main beams, inclined at 45° in a north-west/south-east direction, under which are fixed folded steel sheet joists, positioned perpendicularly in a south-west/north-east direction. The roofing alternates translucent polycarbonate modules and photovoltaic solar panels.

Circular pavilions
The various services have been distributed in circular pavilions strategically located according to passenger arrivals, intermodal connections, drop-off and pick-up platforms, and the regulated position of buses. Their circular shape is very favourable in a mobility space. Whatever the flow of pedestrians and passengers, they will always be tangential to these constructions. This will only optimise journeys. From the crossroads, these architectures successively house a bicycle/mobility service, an information/sales point, a passenger waiting area, the driver's room and a space reserved for logistics and storage. In order to rationalise the radii of curvature, the number of diameters has been limited to three, to meet needs in terms of useful surface areas.

Project
Redevelopment of the Château de Vincennes Ecostation bus station

Location
France, Vincennes

Tender
Public

Surface
10 000 m²

Team
Projectiles, architect (project manager)
Emma Blanc, landscape design
Vpeas, construction economics
Evp, structure engineering
B52, fluids engineering
Ateve, B.E. roads and miscellaneous networks engineering
Cl design, signage
Setec, fluids engineering

Client
RATP Real Estate

Stage
COMPETITION 2018
CONCEPT DESIGN 2019 → 2021
CONSTRUCTION 2021 → 2023
IN USE 2023