"Bella Vista" is the name of the sustainable district on the site of the former Metalor factory on the Avenue du Vignoble in Neuchâtel.
The result of a competition organized by a private developer and the municipality of Neuchâtel, the Bella Vista project embodies the transformation of the former Metalor industrial site that is emblematic of Neuchâtel. To make Bella Vista an eco-district, the seven four-storey buildings use renewable energy. The project includes 286 apartments along with 800 m2 of commercial space to be built and aims to ensure a social and intergenerational mix with apartments designed for families, couples or singles as well as for elderly people. In addition, the housing will meet the latest Minergie criteria.
Year
Ongoing
Mention
1st prize
Procedure
Competition in selective procedure
Developed by
CCHE Lausanne SA
Client
Meteor Developpements SA
Typology
Residential area
Program
7 residential buildings, 281 apartments including 24 duplexes (LUP, rental, seniors, condominiums). 800m² of commercial space
Floor area (GFA)
30,912 m²
Volume (SIA)
137,200 m³
Integration / social mix : The location of the buildings creates two urban spaces on the scale of the city of Neuchâtel but also in line with that of the district. The Place Metalor, the entrance to the district and the belvedere mark the connections with the existing paths to the Avenue du Vignoble and the Chemin de la Favarge. These two public spaces are connected by a walkway below the existing wall, made of natural stone, which gives access to the buildings from the base. The entrances are completed by footbridges connected to the pavement along the Avenue du Vignoble. The diversification and the social mix expected by the programme make it possible to enhance the commercial and business areas that naturally develop around the public square.
Live the view : The development of the Bella Vista project has focused on highlighting its exceptional location and the unobstructed view of Lake Neuchâtel. Each typology offers an opening to the view through a balcony, a loggia, a garden or even a roof solarium. Each dwelling benefits from dedicated outdoor spaces, bringing a great diversity in the way of living and which reinforce its relationship with the great landscape.
Rationality / enhancement : The different ratios of the project show an optimisation of the surfaces which offers an interesting proportion of flats for rent or for sale. The large areas of terraces, gardens and balconies enhance the overall appearance of the flats. Three large families of typologies are developed and united by a common architecture. All accommodations enjoy views of the lake and the Alps. The duplexes offer unobstructed views from their rooftop terraces.
Live together / privacy : The gradation of public, semi-public and private spaces offers a wide variety of places for meeting and exchange. The design of its outdoor facilities seeks a balance between openness to the landscape and the intimacy of living spaces. Permeable and intimate at the same time, the project design a quality neighbourhood and desire to live together while preserving everyone's privacy.
Sustainable development : Intelligent placement within the footprint of the industrial building minimizes earthworks. The design of the buildings allow a rationalisation of energy needs. Special attention is given to the production sites in order to guarantee a project with low grey energy consumption.
Landscape architecture : Produced by the CCHE landscape architecture sector, providing vegetation was a priority when approaching this new district. The new outdoor facilities are located on two distinct levels: on the ground floor, located to the west, is Metalor square, mainly dedicated to outdoor fitness and recreation with numerous planters. On the east side is Belvedere square with a children's playground and footpath.
This is linked to the Belvedere, a platform overlooking the whole project and giving a panoramic view of the lake. Level -2 is developed around a series of planted patios with various activities. Further south, you can enjoy walking between the Duplex private gardens and the climbing plants near the SBB tracks.
Interior fittings of the LUP building overlooking Place Metalor.
Ground floor plan, South facade section
Live on ground-floor level : The provision of vegetation was an important prerogative in the approach to the project. This can be seen in the morphology of the basement, which houses duplexes articulated between private patios and gardens to the south. This morphology offers a response to the nuisances generated by the CFF track. The duplexes are on three levels with bedrooms on the ground floor, living rooms on the first floor and roof terraces. This layout offers a view of the lake.
