by Brianna Crandall — December 15, 2010—”Le Monolithe,” an energy-efficient mixed-use urban block located in downtown Lyon, France, has reached completion. The 32,500-square-meterstructure combines offices, retail, social housing, rental property, a residence for disabled people, and underground parking in the “Lyon Confluence” urban regeneration area at the southern tip of Lyon’s Presqu’le, where the rivers Rhne and Sane merge.
Developed by ING Real Estate Development and Atemi, the project is composed of five sections, each one designed by a different French or Dutch architect following the MVRDV master plan. Each section is unique in material, composition and architectural expression. The block contains a large interior court with a raised public space, designed by Dutch landscape architects West 8, overlooking the city, the new marina and a park.
Le Monolithe’s eco-friendly features include reinforced insulation, careful selection of materials, and rainwater management, and 80 percent of the energy is provided by renewable energy sources. The combination of efficient spatial composition, passive energy (sunscreens, high thermal inertia), thermal and acoustic comfort, and an energy strategy that includes heat storage, PV cells, low-e double glazing, compactness to minimize heat loss, natural ventilation and an environmentally responsive faade system make Le Monolithe a highly efficient low-energy construction, according to those involved.
