"Bella Vista" is the name of the sustainable district that will be created in 2023 on the site of the former Metalor factory on the Avenue du Vignoble in Neuchâtel.
To make Bella Vista an eco-district, the seven four-storey buildings will use renewable energy. The project provides for 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 pensioners. In addition, the housing will meet the latest Minergie criteria.
Urban integration and sight enhancement
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 future 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.
Urban square at the entrance to the site - Placette Metalor
LIVING 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 wishes to design a quality neighbourhood and seeks a desire to live together while preserving everyone's privacy.
Ground floor plan, South facade section
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.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Intelligent placement in the "natural" hollow of the existing plateau minimises the need for earthworks. The design of the buildings will allow a rationalisation of energy needs. Special attention will be given to the production sites in order to guarantee a project with low grey energy consumption.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
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.
All accommodation enjoys views of the lake and the Alps. The duplexes benefit from the view from their roof terrace.
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.
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 is connoted by these different outdoor spaces which bring a great diversity in the way of living and which reinforce its relationship with the great landscape.
