Destination Gavy - Saint Nazaire

Refurbishment of a former campus and construction of collective housing in the heart of nature.

The “Destination Gavy” project, winner of the “Action Maritime et Littorale” call for proposals, is being developed in partnership with the agencies Obras (urban planner and lead architect), D’ici là (landscape designers), Mars Architectes, and Vendredi Architecture et Urbanisme. The project is led by Icade Promotion (project manager) and the Groupe Duval.

Designed to enhance the attractiveness of the region, the project’s innovative program includes the development of new activities and services.

Our teams have been commissioned to rehabilitate the former university campus, covering approximately 10,600 m², and to construct the “Plots dans les Bois”, a collective housing complex (both market-rate and social housing) of around 5,800 m². Particular attention is being paid to preserving the identity of the existing heritage through a subtle and carefully controlled intervention.

The aim is to highlight the site's original character while taking full advantage of the lush, seaside setting of the Gavy site.

Client : Urban Community of the Nazairian Region and the Estuary – Carene

Location : Saint-Nazaire, France

Size : 16 400 m²

Status : In Progress

Date : 2030

Key points

Creation of a new district.
Heritage rehabilitation.
Programatic diversity.
Landscaped park.

Environmental perfomances

Decarbonising - saving materials (life cycle analysis).
Level 2 bio-sourced label targeted.
Cool island.
Bioclimatic building.
Encouraging soft mobility.

Download the project sheet

A sustainable and appealing project designed for multiple uses.

A new range of activities and services.

A unique site with a prime location, Gavy aims to become a true “maritime park” — a vibrant, inclusive space that fosters encounters and exchange. The project’s mixed-use program seeks to reveal and enhance the site’s qualities by introducing a new range of activities and services to the public. Its ambition is to offer diverse uses that energize and reinforce the appeal of the surrounding area.

The new offerings include a variety of sports and leisure activities in partnership with UCPA, bars and restaurants, a WEFORM training center, new offices for the Nantes Saint-Nazaire Chamber of Commerce, a scenic lookout point, a 3-star hotel, and a residential program.

Destination Gavy is shaped by the architectural identities specific to each part of the site, responding to the diversity of sequences along its path. For each of these, our team develops the most suitable programmatic component.

A responsible and sustainable project.

At the heart of a green urban district, the project is committed to preserving the surrounding environment. With the ambition of obtaining the BiodiverCity label, several initiatives have been launched to support this goal — including the planting of over 600 trees to maintain and enhance the site's natural and wooded character. Soft mobility and light vehicle circulation will be developed in accordance with the PLUi regulations.

In line with a strategy to preserve biodiversity and minimize carbon footprint, the program emphasizes the rehabilitation of existing structures and the conservation of natural spaces, notably through maximizing permeable ground areas and minimizing earthworks.

The “Destination Gavy” project aligns with the French National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC), thanks to its circular and low-carbon approach. For new buildings, the 2028 thresholds defined by RE2020 are targeted, with a minimum goal of Level 1 or 2 certification. Rehabilitated buildings aim for the BBC Renovation Energy + Carbon label.

Living in harmony with nature: the 'Plots in the Woods

Designed as small, compact units each containing between 12 and 14 apartments over 2 to 5 levels, the “Plots in the Woods” are conceived in harmony with their natural surroundings. Their simple, assertive forms and domestic-style architecture foster social connection — a central aim of the project. These dynamic, independent volumes interact with one another and adapt to the scale of the site and its residents.

Special attention is given to the orientation of the apartments to ensure maximum sunlight and unobstructed views, offering new perspectives without overlooking. At the heart of each cluster, a central, vibrant shared space connects directly with the landscaped environment. A playful arrangement of terraces and balconies, interspersed with structural elements, creates a rhythmic and organic façade design.

Connected to the surrounding wooded environment, these attractive housing units appeal to city dwellers and offer dual orientation and spacious terraces — true guarantees of comfort and quality of life for residents.

A university building with an innovative program.

The university building is considered a central heritage element that embodies the identity of the site. The project’s challenge lies in rehabilitating this structure by integrating a mix of programs while preserving its original character through a subtle and carefully controlled intervention that respects its existing framework. The architectural approach follows the building’s original transverse layout, maintaining its topographical anchoring. The various built volumes allow for a balanced distribution of the program, ensuring that each function has its own dedicated space. This educational campus, with its new and innovative programming, is complemented by the sports and leisure offerings mentioned earlier.

Lushly landscaped with patios, the building features large glass roofs that strengthen the connection between users and the surrounding nature. The expansive terraces that define the campus are preserved and repurposed to offer stunning views of the sea and the entire site to as many people as possible.

Enhancing the existing architecture and reinvesting the site with an innovative program.

Team

Patriarche (Architecture, Interior Architecture, MEP Engineering, Environmental Quality, Cost Management, BIM, Urban Planning, Landscape)
Partners: Obras, D’Ici-là, Mars Architectes, Vendredi Architectes

Credits

Program

Rehabilitation

Residential

Jaccachoury School Complex

Ambioner