INTECHMER CAMPUS - Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers - Cherbourg - with TITAN Architects (lead architect)
The landscape design aims to create an exemplary sustainable development project that will contribute to the scientific prestige of the National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies (INTECHMER). The site's existing landscape is transposed and integrated into the native plant communities, incorporating the functionality of the outdoor spaces with a biomimetic approach.
On the seaward side, the white dune shelters a wind-protected amphitheater and a coastal wetland characteristic of the Val de Saire, which helps manage rainwater runoff. The grey dune heathland, with its gorse and wind-modified trees, conceals the parking areas and protects the site from westerly and southwesterly winds. The only exception, in the center, is a small naturalistic garden showcasing coastal flora of the future, a reminder of the site's scientific purpose.
Intechmer's marine garden is part of the project's new rationale but also reflects the site's inherent poetry by magnifying natural elements. First, the wind, through its vegetation and anemomorphic (wind-shaped) volumes, and then the water, with a wetland area whose level fluctuates with the rain and storms.
Biomimetic ecological transect:
In terms of the project's context, a small residual dune sequence lies between the eastern breakwater of Cherbourg's main harbor and the site. The surrounding coastline has been heavily developed, to the detriment of wild vegetation; this is evident to the west of the site with port facilities, but also to the east due to urbanization. It is advantageous to take advantage of this project to restore the original transect from sea to land, as the rarity of this type of situation gives these ecosystems significant botanical and ecological value. We propose to integrate the Institute's facilities into these halophytic (salt-loving) formations, which are defined by their proximity to or distance from the sea, salt, and wind.
The amphitheater of the white dune:
To the northwest of the site, extending from the dike onto a volume of pre-existing embankments, we propose to create a large "viewpoint" dune towards the sea, sheltered from the wind, which will allow for courses and events.
Thanks to the excavated material generated by the project due to deconstruction, in a logic of resource saving, this development would limit the costly export of materials from the site.
More than 200 seats will be available on the characteristic blue stones of Cherbourg's architecture and gardens. The semi-circular seating will be oriented towards Cap Lévi and the red Fermanville lighthouse.
Surrounding tall grasses typical of dunes, marram grass (Amnophila arenaria) and Elytrigia juncea are planted in 50 cm of shell sand. This constitutes the first reference plant community, which will be able to support greater biodiversity over the years, such as Euphorbia paralias, blue sea holly (Eryngim maritimum), and pink-flowered snowbells (Convolvulus soldanella).
The coastal backwater wetland water management area:
The area was once occupied by slightly brackish ponds, as evidenced by Jean Magin's map of the Cherbourg area, drawn at the beginning of the 18th century. This particularly precise document shows an island geomorphology oriented east-west, in line with the prevailing winds.
We propose managing the majority of the site's rainwater (approximately 300 m³) in a permanent retention basin that recreates the site's original ecology. The amount of water requiring treatment is reduced thanks to numerous permeable stabilized surfaces. A gently sloping complex of clay and geotextiles will allow for the creation of a regulated water flow management zone. This body of water will also attract numerous birds to the site, such as the Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Northern Lapwing, and Eurasian Curlew. In the more shrubby areas, the Eurasian Bittern, Spotted Crake, Montagu's Harrier, Western Marsh Harrier, and Bluethroat will also find nesting sites, as these birds seek out densely vegetated, more or less damp areas.
In front of the institute, there will be open spaces that will require very limited maintenance.
The grey dune and the wind-blown forest fringe:
To properly protect the site from the winds, the western boundary will be planted with a succession of dunes alternating sandy fronts on the sea side - planted with marram grass - and reverses planted with shrubs with sculptural shapes such as gorse, dune willows, hawthorns, wild plum trees which constitute deflectors sculpted by storms.
A perimeter path will allow for walking or running exercises along this stretch. The existing fence will be retained and fully integrated into the vegetation. As the path progresses, the tree species will evolve, beginning to form small stands of Quercus robur oaks, also softened by sea spray.
The parking areas are fully integrated into the vegetation, completely concealing the cars on the site. Parking spaces are distributed along the south and east roads. We propose slightly reducing the current parking capacity on the site, given that the new Colignon beach parking lot will be located adjacent to the main entrance in the southwest corner of the site.
A bicycle parking area has been created by reusing the greenhouse, located to the south of the site immediately beyond the southern parking lot. This structure helps to mitigate wind and improve comfort in the central garden space.
The garden of coastal flora of the future world:
Between the new and old buildings, there is a sheltered space that will create a meeting place for students and a more intimate area for faculty. To enhance the sheltered feel of this space, we propose creating a planted alcove around its perimeter, featuring coastal flora that can be enriched by seeds and seedlings brought back to the site by researchers and students on field trips and study missions. Thanks to Cherbourg's hyperoceanic climate, which rarely experiences frost, it will also be possible to envision a garden adapted to climate change, essentially a garden of the future. The aim of this space is not, of course, to generate significant maintenance costs for the School, but rather to allow botanists, in a naturalist spirit, to leave a botanical trace of their presence. The terrace floor could also be made of Cherbourg bluestone, a nod to a garden of the five oceans. There is currently no botanical garden specializing in temperate boreal coastal flora; this could be one of the prides of the center.
Floor coverings, project economics:
We propose to keep the south and east roads, as well as the north-south axis in front of the building, in their current locations. This approach will allow us to reuse the existing road structures and carry out a complete resurfacing, significantly reducing the construction cost.
High-quality circulation areas such as the main access road and forecourts will be made of high-quality concrete slabs whose surface could be qualified at specific points by means of seabird footprints.
The blue stone from Cherbourg in the garden could form the foundations and the ground of the coastal flora garden and the foundations of the amphitheater.
Fermanville granite-type stabilized coating will be used for walkways and secondary paths to give the site a high degree of porosity.
Right to darkness: In an environmentally conscious approach, illuminated areas will be limited to the main pathways leading to the entrance, the pathway connecting to the accessible south parking area, the north plaza, and the central space. Wildlife will not be disturbed by intrusive lighting.
Differentiated management of green spaces:
Currently, the site is entirely covered in lawn, which requires regular maintenance (approximately 10 mowings per year). We propose replanting native vegetation that requires no maintenance. The mowed areas will be very small and limited to a few zones, particularly around the outdoor amphitheater. The project's apparent lushness will actually require minimal maintenance, equivalent to that of natural areas open to the public.
Intechmer's exterior development project reflects the site's maritime character. We propose a rational design that incorporates cost savings. Excavated material from the basin and demolition materials are reused to create landscaping.
This garden, shaped by the wind with its unique characteristics and biomimetic design, will contribute to the image and prestige of the center and offer a unique and pleasant environment for students and faculty.
Technical note on plant engineering:
Ecological engineering - Protocol for relocating herbaceous and woody plants collected from the wild for replanting on the INTECHMER construction site in Cherbourg
Plants from nurseries lack the genetic diversity of a naturally occurring population. The plants are clones, making them much more susceptible to disease. We propose planting the project by taking samples from sites undergoing ecological transformation, such as the area of the future parking lot to the south, or from other sites with similar ecology that we have identified in agreement with their owners. Cultivation contracts with specialized nurseries could complement this approach. The project could serve as a pilot project, potentially involving the Coastal Conservatory, the Brest Botanical Conservatory, and the Landscape Department of the City of Cherbourg.