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IX Campus

Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France

Description: Innovation and Education Campus Park

Location: Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France

Mission: All design stages

Current stage: Completed

Period: 2022-2026

Area: 7 ha

Client: Foncière du Château Saint Léger

Architect: Baumschlager Eberle Architekten + SAME

Engineers: AIA

Djao-Rakitine Landscape: Irene Djao-Rakitine, Amélia Chevée, Aska Doi, Paul McGoldrick, Veronica Torretti, Marie Nogrette, Théophile Mas

The agora space, previously an asphalt parking area, has become a physical and social hub of the campus, creating a shared ground for the buildings and establishing an axial connection between the clearing space and the restored château forecourt.
The proposal restores coherence to the existing 7-hectare parkland by introducing a continuous network of paths that connects a series of distinct spatial typologies. These spaces offer varied atmospheres and uses, set within a strengthened, biodiverse woodland edge that frames the site
Sketches of the different park typologies and the continuous thread connecting the spaces.

The campus is situated within the landscaped grounds of Château Saint-Léger, which dates from the late 19th century. Originally conceived as a romantic English-style garden, it featured meandering pathways through clearings and groves leading to the château, along with a pond, an artificial river, and a Chinese pavilion.

In the second half of the 20th century, a modernist architectural framework was superimposed with the intervention of Jean Prouvé, resulting in the destruction of much of the original park. This was followed by numerous building interventions, as well as the creation of car parks and asphalt roads, which further weakened the integrity of the landscape.

This landscape proposal seeks to restore coherence to the park, while revealing, enhancing, and diversifying its woodland heritage, which is now protected under its designation as a listed woodland area ("Espace Boisé Classé"). The concept of a romantic and ecological park is introduced, enhancing biodiversity while providing pedestrian pathways that encourage reflection and well-being.

The 7-hectare park is unified through a continuous network of paths linking a series of spatial typologies, each offering different atmospheres and uses, all framed within a strengthened woodland edge. The design of the park also incorporates an open-air rainwater management system and, more broadly, aims to maximize the site's porosity, permeability, and biodiversity.

New public square and entrance forecourt of the new higher education building of iXCampus. This public space, accessible to all, offers generous planted areas featuring native species that collect and manage the square's rainwater. Image by Besson.
Overview model at 1:100 scale.

Model photographs.

All images are © Djao-Rakitine, unless otherwise stated.

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