PROJECT

LUMA Arles - Parc des Ateliers

LOCATION

Arles, France

YEAR

2009 - 2021

CLIENT

LUMA Foundation

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

BUREAU BAS SMETS

ARCHITECT

Gehry Partners LLP, Selldorf Architects

SURFACE

4 ha 

CLAY PAVERS

ECO-7-SIZE 

4,500 m² Mix:
SeptimA Aureum (1/3)
SeptimA Saffron (1/3)
SeptimA Olive (1/3)

PROCESSING

random bond

Photos: © Vande Moortel (Eli Lammertyn)

FACTS & FIGURES

33,800 m² park area

5,200 m² lawn area

2,500 m² pond

Over 1,000 new trees and shrubs

Over 80,000 new plants

Over 140 different plant species

Luma Arles is situated in a truly unique spot in the south of France. Before it was transformed into a lush and welcoming park the site hosted a former industrial railway yard which over time had transformed into an industrial wasteland devoid of all vegetation. Before that the site was a Roman Necropolis throughout the bigger part of history. A history that explains the many archeological remains still present in the subsoil.

The former industrial site of the ‘Parc des Ateliers’ consisted of a large concrete platform without any vegetation. Unprotected during the cold winter from the strong winds and the heat during the summer, the end result was a hostile, desert-like environment. This was in great contrast with the rich vegetation of the three types of landscapes surrounding the town of Arles, the Camargue, the Crau and the Alpilles.

Bas Smets drew inspiration from the unique landscapes surrounding Arles and used their specific logics and strategies to bring back vegetation to the site. The idea being to accelerate the natural processes of regrowth as it would have occurred spontaneously over time since these landscapes represent almost all the forms of resistance adopted by plant life to conquer this region, from its wetlands to its rocky outcrops.

To make vegetation possible a fertile soil was placed on the barren concrete, which gave the horizontal site a new topography, as though it had been sculpted by the winter mistral winds blowing from the northwest. Over time, these strong winds shape a dune-like landscape. Such asymmetry provides shade in the summer months, while offering protection from the strong winds in the winter months.

The vegetation growth is made possible by a sustainable water circulation system that draws its source from the Craponne canal located near the park. The large central pond serves both as a water reservoir for irrigation and as a cooling device on hot summer days. The pond, as well as the new topography and its vegetation, produce a microclimate, effectively transforming the former concrete desert into an agreeable public park.

The park houses a variety of buildings with the iconic 45 meter high tower as imagined by Frank Gehry as Eyecatcher. The asymmetrical façade in stainless steel captures and renders all the color variations in the sky, and gives the building an ever-changing appearance. The tower consists of various multi-purpose public and private spaces, from exhibition halls to work rooms and event venues.

Throughout the park Selldorf Architects renovated many of the industrial buildings. All together creating a home for Maja Hoffmann’s LUMA foundation offering artists new perspectives for creation, collaboration, and presentation of their work to the public.

The LUMA Foundation was established in 2004 by Maja Hoffmann in Zurich, Switzerland, to support artistic creation in the fields of visual arts, photography, publishing, documentary films, and multimedia.

Organically shaped paths of Clay Pavers make it possible to stroll around in this inspiring setting and guide visitors from one building to the other. To create these paths the ECO-7-SIZE SeptimA Clay Paver was chosen in three different colours to create a mix specifically for this project. Combined the grey and two yellow pavers create a pallet that resembles the colours found in the areas surrounding the park. This pallet lets the paving blend into the project an creates a unity throughout the park.

VIDEO FOOTAGE: 

Imagining the LUMA park with Bas Smets with Bas Smets

Feeling the park with Bas Smets

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