ATELIER LD

A delegation from the French Embassy visited Guwahati on 28.01.2025 to explore potential collaborations in the urban sector, focusing on sustainable and nature-based solutions. During their visit, the delegation held a high-level meeting with Ms. Kavitha Padmanaban, IAS, Commissioner &Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Dept. of Housing and Urban Affairs, Mr. Kailash Karthik N, IAS, Secretary to the Govt. of Assam & Managing Director, AUIDFCL and officials from AUIDFCL (Assam Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation Ltd.), GMDA (Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority), T&CP (Town and Country Planning), and AUKH (Assam Urban Knowledge Hub). The discussions revolved around leveraging French expertise and technology to address urban challenges in Assam, particularly through innovative and eco-friendly approaches. The potential areas of collaboration include sustainable urban planning, green infrastructure development, water management, and nature-based solutions to mitigate climate risks. The representatives from Assam highlighted key priorities for the state, emphasizing the need for urban resilience, infrastructure modernization, and community-driven development. The French delegation expressed keen interest in partnering with local agencies to co-develop tailored solutions that align with Assam’s unique geography and socio-economic conditions. Both parties recognized the importance of fostering long-term cooperation and agreed to establish a framework for further dialogue and project conceptualization. The visit marked a significant step toward strengthening bilateral ties and advancing sustainable urban development in Assam.

The most surprising thing about Tokyo, for me, was how few cars there were. In a city of almost 10 million people, I expected the streets to be packed with traffic. Instead, I saw bikes and pedestrians everywhere. What really caught my eye were the roads with no sidewalks, where the pedestrian space was just a strip of paint on the ground. This simple design gave people more freedom to move around, take up space, and—most importantly—forced cars to slow down and pay attention. It felt like one giant city of shared streets! (Sure, there are big highways, but most streets have this low-key, shared vibe.) Another thing that stood out was how quiet it was, even in busy areas. And the fourth thing? Kids—lots of them—walking, cycling, and playing without an adult in sight. It was refreshing to see such independence! Some might argue that a system like this only works because of a certain "culture" or discipline. I think it’s more about how the environment shapes our behaviour. When spaces are designed to prioritise pedestrians, there's more people that want to be pedestrians. When the design prioritizes cars, it’s the cars that end up taking over. There are plenty of examples of that, too ;)

A few snapshots of the new arrivals terminal at Roland Garros in La Reunion taken a few weeks back. What's special about it? In a tropical climate only 7% of the interior surfaces are air conditioned (impressive for this type of building and the region). The rest of the building relies on natural ventilation, which is not only energy-efficient but also provides a more comfortable and healthier environment for users. The building’s facades are shaded by the roof's overhang, which prevents direct sun exposure and reduces heat gain inside. The terminal uses motorized louvers or adjustable windows controlled by a meteorological station on the roof. This system allows the terminal to adapt dynamically to changes in weather conditions, optimizing airflow and ensuring consistent indoor comfort. Inside,, a central "canyon" draws warm air out of the building, making room for the cool air to come in. The terminal takes full advantage of natural lighting, creating a bright, airy atmosphere. The combination of fresh air and gentle breezes, coupled with the bioclimatic design, makes the terminal feel very different from conventional, energy-intensive airport terminals. For more information visit https://lnkd.in/gP7ReGmx La Reunion has got an impressive track record of developing contemporary architecture that is contextual, climate responsive, often bioclimatic, and I do believe that these are the buildings that are the building blocks of sustainable SMART CITIES of the future. 🌿 Let's not forget the NATURE. In the foreground of the first image, we see another one of the key features of the project : a large bioswale designed to capture, store, infiltrate and safely convey the stormwater runoff. Planted with local species, it also creates a cooler environment around the building, further helping the indoor ventilation 🛖 THE ROOF was designed to withstand cyclones, more and more frequent in the region #bioclimatic #smartcities #holisticurbanplanning #climateadaptation

Depuis 2019, les équipes ATELIER LD et LD AUSTRAL travaillent avec la ville de Saint-André (Réunion) pour revitaliser son centre ville à travers un projet de renouvellement urbain. L'objectif est de revaloriser les espaces publics et de créer des zones piétonnes ombragées, tout en mettant en avant le patrimoine historique local. Ce projet intègre des espaces verts et des aménagements favorisant les déplacements doux et la désimperméabilisation des sols. Nos agences sont fières de contribuer à cette initiative qui promeut le lien social et l'adaptation climatique pour un avenir durable. MOA : Villle de Saint André MOE : Atelier LD (Mandataire), LD Austral, Scène publique, Etudis, Axurban Montant des travaux : 9 M€ HT

Les travaux progressent bien au sommet du Maïdo, site classé au patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO. Ce projet vise à rendre le site accessible aux personnes à mobilité réduite, tout en offrant un panorama exceptionnel sur le vertigineux cirque de Mafate. Une barrière de protection en acier corten, intégrée harmonieusement dans la roche, sera accompagnée d’une rambarde en bois sculpté sur place. Ce travail d’intégration est remarquable, avec un impact minimal sur le sol et le paysage environnant. Le projet inclut un usage limité de pierre, de métallerie et de béton imprimé, afin de se fondre parfaitement dans cet environnement sobre et épuré. La fin des travaux est prévue pour fin octobre. Maitre d’ouvrage : Département de la Réunion Paysagiste concepteur initial (programmation, esquisses) : Alain FREYTET Équipe MOE : LD AUSTRAL / Biotope / Stratégies et territoires Entreprises chantier : ROCS (VRD) - MDOI (Métallerie) - SELF SIGNAL OI (médias Interprétation) - SMBR (tailleur de pierre / murailler) - S. GIPIER (menuisier)