“Prix de la friche” competition, Batifranc wants to rehabilitate the old slaughterhouses in Le Creusot

To imagine a new life for it, BATIFRANC is organizing a competition aimed at architects in particular.

The industrial wasteland of Le Creusot

BATIFRANC, by facilitating companies' access to real estate, has participated in the economic development of territories for more than 40 years.

In order to generate a discussion on the future of this now unoccupied industrial site, BATIFRANC invites students, architects and other interested creatives to compete to give a second life to the former Creusot slaughterhouses. By also involving students, the idea is to give them the opportunity to build a portfolio for their career, and also to allow them to realize the underestimated potential of such sites. Participants will also be confronted with the challenges of rehabilitating industrial wastelands.

Any participant in the competition therefore has the opportunity to rethink the use of abandoned urban spaces. The idea will be to transform them into real levers of economic and social development.

For Hubert Cusenier, Managing Director of Batifranc: « The Creusot wasteland embodies a rich and complex history, a living testimony to the evolution of the city. From the old slaughterhouse to the communications agency offices and a textile factory, this place has seen many lives and activities. Today, it is time to offer him new perspectives. This competition is an invitation to creativity, to daring, to the boundless imagination of those who want to design the new life of this Creuset wasteland. »

The characteristics of the industrial site to be rehabilitated

Located on a plot of almost 12.000 m² in the Abattoirs Activity Zone, this place is directly connected to national road 80, the main road in Le Creusot. Which makes it a strategic positioning. Made up of two main buildings, including the former Le Creusot slaughterhouse and an extension, the total surface area of ​​the site is 7.033 m². This industrial wasteland includes offices, storage spaces, or activity and sales areas. This variety of spaces offers competition participants an ideal playground where creativity can be fully expressed.

The different prizes of the wasteland competition

The competition includes four prize categories.

The architecture and design prize

At stake: €7.000 for the winner of this section

Participants will be able to propose innovative concepts. The goal is to enhance the architectural beauty of the wasteland, while respecting its history and its environment. The rehabilitation here must be a pure ode to aesthetics, a true architectural work highlighting volumes, lines and materials. BATIFRANC will be sensitive to projects that will bring a new creative dimension to the place. Projects may therefore include daring interventions (additions and/or destruction of decorative elements, lighting, etc.) in perfect symbiosis with the spirit of the city of tomorrow.

The price of virtual

At stake: €7.000 for the winner of this section

This prize aims to reward proposals that explore the potential of the place through the prism of digital technology and virtual reality. It is a question of imaging a space dedicated to immersion in the world of digital technology and virtual reality (video game simulators, arcade rooms, 3D model exhibition areas, etc.). Everything must be thought of for a fun and cultural experience. Network infrastructures and interactivity will also need to be taken care of, to accommodate both the public and “virtual cyberattacks” type events aimed at preparing future ethical hackers.

The Save the Planet Prize

At stake: €7.000 for the winner of this section

This category highlights ecological projects for a more sustainable future. Despite everything, they must remain functional and attractive spaces. The objective is to transform these old buildings to make them a model of sustainable development and eco-construction. Vegetable roofs, rainwater reprocessing, production of renewable energies, biosourced materials... BATIFRANC will favor avenues which aim for self-consumption of renewable energy and minimize the environmental footprint. With the ambition of making this place the watchdog of the ecological transition of Le Creusot.

The youth prize

At stake: a school trip worth up to €3.500 for the winning team

For this award, children are encouraged to share their vision, proposing bold and inspiring ideas. Dedicated to very young candidates, this prize will reward the most inspiring, creative and fun projects. A life-size playground for new generations, this place will reflect their wildest dreams and give free rein to their imagination. BATIFRANC invites children to draw what they imagine to be the future of this wasteland in Le Creusot. Appendix 5 can be used as support (elements to be cut out)*.

The stages of the competition for the second life of slaughterhouses

The competition is free, open without geographical limits, for individuals or teams.

Only the youth prize must be done on a class scale in view of the prize to be won.

Steps :

• Apply as an individual or team before 31/10/24 23:59 p.m. (registration form in the appendices*)
• For candidates who have validated their registration (free) before 31/10/2024, submit the digital project before 31/12/24 23:59 p.m.
• Selection by the jury in early 2025
• 06/03/25: online event announcing the winner of each of the 4 categories

*all elements (authoritative specifications, annexes (photos, aerial views, 3D modeling, and participation form) are available here: https://kdrive.infomaniak.com/app/share/1085183/6b41e9b7-4b81-4d87-be8b-88e2f9cda5b9