Cité Internationale Université de Toulouse. History and innovation

A university residence, co-working space, a restaurant, a hotel, and an event space make up the spaces of the project for the Cité Internationale Université de Toulouse. The city's scientific community is enriched with accommodations and services to welcome an increasing number of people and engage the neighborhood residents

Architectural and landscape heritage to rediscover

Between the areas of Busca and Saint Michel, in Toulouse, the science district is an area rich in history. Here in 1916, Paul Sabatier financed, with his Nobel Prize in chemistry, the construction of Building H which, since 1919, has housed the first laboratories. Building H, along with the chapel of the Notre-Dame school, the bell tower of the La Présentation foyer, and the facades on rue des Trente-Six Ponts, form a historical architectural and landscape heritage largely unknown to the public. Part of the project is its opening and enhancement

A pedestrian path to discover the Cité and revitalize its surroundings

The Taillandier Architectes Associés studio, that deals with urban and architecture projects, offers its systemic vision to open up the scientific district to the city. The backbone of the project is the pedestrian path that runs from rue Saint-Michel to rue des Trente-Six Ponts: this element allows those who walk through it to discover the Cité with its ancient and new buildings symbolizing the scientific development of the metropolis. The design of gardens and squares opening onto the walkway connects the rich architectural program, revitalizing its surroundings as well

Ancient and contemporary come together in two U-shaped volumes

In continuity with the existing urban fabric, the project for the Cité Internationale Université de Toulouse intertwines three elements: the ancient Building H, two newly constructed buildings for additional services, and the pedestrian pathway. In a style that does not impose itself but rather creates space and invites discovery, ancient and contemporary come together forming volumetrically two open U shapes where academic activities flourish alongside 383 new accommodations and services

The program for the new university district

The program of the substantial architectural intervention includes, first of all, a new student residence, the Crous, to which is added as hospitality the hotel residence Montempo designed for shorter stays. The Turbine is instead a university space where innovation and collaboration are cultivated. A new co-working, the "At Home Cité internationale", the events space Momentum, and the restaurant La Compagnie Française - Toulouse-Busca complete the Cité Internationale Université de Toulouse

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Taillandier Architectes Associés - TAA

42 Rue de Cugnaux, 31300 Toulouse, France 8 Rue des Tanneries, 75013 Paris, France