MVRDV’s new residential complex in Rennes is inspired by geological formations

MVRDV, along with ALL, has completed “Ascension Paysagère”: an 8,200-square-metre residential complex at the confluence of the Ille and the Vilaine river in the west of Rennes, France.

In 2018, Rennes was called by the French magazine L’Express the most liveable city in France, and this – combined with the new TGV connection in 2017 – has led to continued population growth. The building, located in a transitional space between the city center and its outer reaches, provides 138 homes in a variety of sizes (including 37 units of social housing), as well as commercial spaces and public spaces.

The project site – across from the floating park of the Jardin de la Confluence, at the end of the pedestrianized thoroughfare of François Mitterrand – is highly visible and because of that required an exemplary approach. So, MVRDV chose to take inspiration from geological formations.

For this reason, “Ascension Paysagère” is composed of two curving buildings, one larger and one smaller, with gradually changing slopes. By the river and at points where the project approaches its perimeter the buildings are lower, while in other areas the design gradually steps up into three peaks, reaching the maximum 12-story height in the center of the site.