In the urban heart of Nice, the Kardham Group will renovate the historic Valrose university campus

The campus is attended by 3.500 students and 600 researchers and teacher-researchers. Between renovation and construction, the project plans to increase the attractiveness of this listed site called to be preserved while developing it to better meet new expectations in terms of energy efficiency.

Build, renovate and revitalize

The mission is part of the classified park of Valrose, with an area of 11 hectares, remarkable for the richness of its flora and the beauty of its monuments. The project has three parts:

The renovation of the facades of two establishments open to the public (ERP), the chemistry and natural sciences buildings, as well as the renovation of two levels in the natural sciences ERP.
The construction of a new building of 500 m² SDP for research laboratories.
A “cultural expression” component to revitalize the campus: link the stage of the Isba, a traditional Ukrainian chalet, to the campus and think about how to support the life of the students on the site in an event-driven way.

The main features of the project

Respect a heritage of 31 buildings and structures, many of which are classified as historical monuments.

The enhancement of this magnificent cultural past and landscaped space will function as a guideline for the project. The latter will thus comply with the protection of historical monuments by respecting the existing structures. No pastiche of local architecture will be sought and references to works present on the site will only be subtle evocations. A charter defined by the architect of historic monuments will also impose the colors, materials and furniture of the site.

Preserve the plant heritage and integrate into the landscape

The renovation of the facades follows the management plan, and marks the bases of the buildings (metal base in rust tones). The floors will be treated with thermal insulation from the outside in a stone tone. These choices make it possible to highlight the wooded park which presents richness and diversity in plant species: the high levels disappear behind the trees and the luxuriant vegetation. The plinths lead back to the earth and ensure sustainability.

Consisting of two levels, and mainly underground, the new research building was designed by the Kardham teams as a stack of horizontal strata which are inserted along the topographic lines of the terrain, and are anchored in the hill, a feat of integration in a landlocked natural site. Its unique façade experiments with imprinted concrete walls, with the aim of working the material in a free form. This architectural approach is part of the historical continuity specific to the site, in an art nouveau vein with a characteristic rustication of the beginning of the 19th century. The 5th facade continues the theme of the park with the creation of gardens, integrating a small wooden pavilion with vegetated mashrabiya facades.

The outdoor landscaped areas are treated as gardens accessible to all with plants of clumps and shrubs. For the non-accessible green roof, Kardham opted for a planted with scrubland on a draining layer: lavender, grasses and resistant scrubland plants. A large wooden terrace will accommodate events, bringing the Isba site back to life.

Integrate new bioclimatic and environmental solutions

The energy renovation component includes the renovation of the envelope, with facade insulation from the outside and new joinery, the management of solar protection (shading and blinds) and the installation of photovoltaic panels. The energy will thus be better controlled. The new construction in a troglodyte building buried in the hill, as well as the green roof join a sustainable building approach. It should be noted that the construction site is being carried out in the context of an occupied site.

A reconnected campus accessible to all

The original park had been transformed during the construction of several campus buildings by architect René Egger. Their location walled off the Isba chalet, creating a break. By requalifying the surroundings of the Isba with the creation of a facility open to all, this part of the park is now reconnected to the campus.

The ADAP (programmed accessibility agenda) accessibility of the site is dealt with as the renovation works progress. For people with reduced mobility and the blind, it will include the creation of parking spaces located at the foot of buildings, the laying of guide rails and the installation of ramps on the paths to building entrances. It responds to accessibility for all, when bringing existing stairs up to standard: tactile strip, handrail, etc.

Concerning the theme of cultural expression, it was proposed to establish ephemeral small-scale wooden constructions punctuating the Park, supports of links and connectivity between the various actors of the campus. The one positioned on the high points of the Park and at the foot of the Isba revitalizes the link.