Located adjacent to the city’s cultural center, this positive-energy residential project consists of two disstinctive interconnected volumes; the lower section accommodates social housing units, while the other comprises private apartments for rent. The building is positioned to maximize airflow and offer panoramic views of Nice’s cityscape, surrounding hills, and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance. The ground floor, accessible to all residents, aims to give back to the community by providing landscaped social spaces directly connected to the neighboring cultural center.
Key to the project’s design is its commitment to achieving net-zero energy. This is accomplished through a combination of passive and active sustainable strategies that integrate into the architectural scheme without compromising its contextual design character. Photovoltaic panels and wind turbines inserted into the façade are the primary means of achieving this goal. Enhanced livability is achieved through multifunctional elements such as protected green terraces atop each volume, which mitigate the urban heat island effect and add to the residents’ well-being.
Inspired by Nice’s architectural heritage, the tower subtly incorporates elements of the city’s urban landscape, such as recessed openings and color-coordinated wooden shutters. At night, the tower’s uppermost section is illuminated, its shade of color indicating the amount of energy generated during the day, serving as a symbol of sustainable living in Nice’s skyline.
Collaboration with Elithis for net-zero design
