The Novartis site in Reuil-Malmaison is undergoing a transformation. With the concurrent renovation of its eclectic architectural heritage, along with the construction of a new major university building, the opportunity also arose to redevelop its park.

The landscape is marked by the grandeur of the historic Richelieu castle site, with its evolution over nearly three centuries. Due to the parcelling of the garden, as well as a series of successive constructions, the French garden landscape setting has slowly been transformed over time. The more geometric elements, with their rigorous lines, have disappeared, having been superseded by more naturalist forms.

Conceiving of the park as a piece of nature to contemplate as our starting point, we planned on making it accessible by only one simple promenade. The landscape thereby retains its bucolic character, while its overall coherence is reinforced. Instead of just being gathered together, the various precious and delicate objects of the park are distributed regularly throughout, creating intimate atmospheric spaces around the existing lake and along the large lawn.

The new architectural project runs alongside the park for around a hundred and fifty meters, and skillfully manages the apparent contradiction between its desired built density and the preservation of the park's natural atmosphere. An extended plinth, dotted regularly with buildings and numerous patios and terraces, functions as a sort of landscaped topography. Our design entails the extension of the plant environment present around the banks of the lake and pools directly into the numerous interstices of this landscaped architectural plinth. Rigorous distinction of form here entirely fades in favor of the wealth and texture of the natural material. A true living environment, with its ecology placed in relief.