Université d'architecture, Lacaton & Vassal, Nantes, 2009, Public interior Analysis

Aya Essaoudi

The School of Architecture in Nantes by

Lacaton & Vassal showcases flexibility,

openness, and public interior space. Its free

plan layout, oversized structure, and high

ceilings enable adaptable uses. Transparent

polycarbonate panels and glass partitions

blur boundaries, promoting a sens of depth

and social interaction. A wide, gentle ramp

connects landscaped terraces with views of

the Loire, the city and the sky. Inspired by

terrain vague, the building embraces

appropriation of the space and invites

spontaneous uses. It redefines educational

spaces as flexible, inclusive platforms for

creativity and community. It adapts to the

seasons, reflecting the colors of the sky and

the flow of the river. More than just a

structure, it feels like part of the landscape: a

poetic garden suspended between the city

and the horizon.

Team
Unit:
DC-LAB
Teachers:
Sophie Delhay
Assistants:
Harry Waknine, Martin Lukas Wecke
Infos
Year:
2025
Period:
Y1 (MA), Y2 (MA), Spring
Category:
Semester Project
Topic:  
Architecture, Society, Theory, Urban study
Copyright:
CC BY Licence
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