Bjarke Ingels explains BIG's 'holistic' EuropaCity designs as new video released
by Kim Megson | 21 Mar 2016
Bjarke Ingels has shed more light on his designs for EuropaCity, the huge leisure development planned for the outskirts of Paris.
In a new video featuring Ingels in conversation with Italian architect Carlo Ratti, the BIG studio founder claims the project has given him the opportunity to “be as bold as the Parisians used to be when they made the Paris we know today.”
Ingels said the French capital “has been incredibly good at creating landmarks”, but EuropaCity will “create the notion of a city expanding and becoming more diverse - creating a Paris 2.0 that sets a new standard for what a city can be.”
EuropaCity will cover more than 80 acres (324,000sq m) and will include a selection of hotels, restaurants, theme parks, cultural sites, urban farmland, shopping centres and sports facilities which could host events at a potential Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The €3.1bn (US$3.5bn, £2.4bn) project – one of the largest ongoing leisure developments on the planet – has received major investment from Wanda, China’s largest private property developer.
In the video, Ingels explained how BIG’s design for EuropaCity will combine the qualities of an open landscape with streetscapes of different proportions, creating a horizontal landmark.
“The classic monument is about verticality and how many floors you can stack on top,” he said. “In EuropaCity we’ve tried to create a lively urban fabric that combines radically different streetscapes, both intimate and generous. Some roofscapes kiss the ground, others are tall and invaded by greenery.”
“This is a chance to think big and make big experiments,” said Ingels. “A city is more than just an accumulation of buildings. We are creating something at the scale of a neighbourhood in one holistic design.
“In 2024 when you arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport and look out the airplane, you will see an undulating green hybrid of landscape and architecture, like a piece of land art welcoming you to Paris.”
Bjarke Ingels BIG EuropaCity France Paris architecture design Grande Paris
The city will feature a selection of hotels, restaurants, theme parks, cultural sites, urban farmland, shopping centres and sports facilities Credit: BIG
EuropaCity will cover more than 80 acres (324,000sq m) Credit: BIG
Peaceful green spaces will merge into leisure-filled urbanised districts Credit: BIG
Public consultations about BIG’s masterplan will take place between March and June and the plans are expected to be finalised by 2017 Credit: BIG
The 'holistic' design is centred around fun and engagement Credit: BIG
EuropaCity will include theme parks as part of its attractions offerings Credit: BIG
The €3.1bn (US$3.5bn, £2.4bn) project is one of the largest ongoing leisure developments on the planet Credit: BIG
15 Feb 2016
Europa City will play key role in Paris 2024 Olympic bid
18 Jan 2016
Public consultations planned for Bjarke Ingels' Europa City
13 Jan 2015
Leisure defines Bjarke Ingels’ Europa City masterplan
Bjarke Ingels has shed more light on his designs for EuropaCity, the huge leisure development planned for the outskirts of Paris. In a new video featuring Ingels in conversation with Italian architect Carlo Ratti, the BIG studio founder claims the project has given him the opportunity to “be as bold as the Parisians used to be when they made the Paris we know today.” Ingels said the French capital “has
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