A slice of Mediterranean nature, adapted to water needs at every level

The Vallon de Laval (Laval Valley) is a vast, sloping area perched in the hills above the city of Antibes. Formerly farmland, this terraced watershed presents both flood risks and environmental challenges. The area, though dry most of the year, periodically experiences severe flooding. Combining landscape and architectural design, our project is deeply rooted in the site’s geography. The project unveils a watercourse in harmony with existing topography. Our design approach centers both park and city, bridging the two in a cohesive, urban green space.

Residential buildings blend into the terraced slope along the north-south axis

At the northern end of the valley, raised residential buildings sit on stilts on the hillside, seamlessly integrated into the large, wooded park. Mediterranean native species fill the park, accompanied by winding, permeable pathways. A watercourse flows from north to south, carving a channel through the buildings. Using the site’s dry stone walls, a series of irrigation trenches and retention ponds are built into the terraced slope. These landscape solutions help maintain a drainage corridor along the watercourse, designed to channel runoff from plots located upstream of the project site. On either side of the watercourse, vegetable gardens and orchards are planted for building residents. A meadow habitat is created to preserve spotted-stalk tree mallows (Malva punctata), a protected native flower.

A dry river featuring Mediterranean vegetation invigorates the west-east axis

The river bed cutting through the dry valley is widened to provide expanded floodplains in case of heavy rainfall. This new dry river is lined with riprap and wetland vegetation, stretching to the wooded areas. Copses of willow shrubs and thickets commonly found in Provençal wadis (oleander, tamarisk, myrtle, etc.) are planted along its rocky banks. These copses are full of herbs and shrubs common to local riverbeds and coastal dunes (curry plant, Artemisia, red and yellow horned poppy, etc.). Further from the dry river, low-growing garigue vegetation and rockrose are planted in the open, unwooded spaces. The lower pathway, shared by pedestrians and cyclists alike, runs beneath a canopy of stone pine and holly oak trees. Here and there, clearings provide open spaces for play and relaxation.