4 unités LC - Architecture Insights

The Roof Terrace
131-132. The resurfaced but
also unused concrete
landscape of the roof terrace
of the ‘Unité’ in Firminy-Vert.
The roof terrace of the ‘Unité’ in Firminy-Vert is also now closed,
for the same reason as in Rezé-les-Nantes: safety. The terrace was
actually only open for around three years following the building’s
construction before being closed due to its lack of safety. And
although it was resurfaced in 1996, with the hope of finally
reopening it, the level of safety was still considered insufficient. 30
The terrace had previously provided a play area for the children of
the school, and a communal recreation space for the residents. It
includes an outdoor theatre and projection wall (similar to that on
the roof terrace in Marseille), a small vegetable patch that once was
cultivated by the children during its time of use, and a paddling
pool (again like Marseille, although here it had never been
sufficiently watertight for use).
The problem of the roof terrace (with all the ‘Unités’) really lies in
its original design, rather than in factors of deterioration. For, as
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133. Empty seat on the roof
terrace of the ‘Unité’ in Firminy-
Vert.
previously mentioned, the all-concrete landscape is not particularly
merciful to the reckless or adventurous child.
The roof terraces of the ‘Unités’ have proved to be the greatest
conundrum for it’s managing bodies. Marseille has been able to
resolve it through its promotion as a visual landscape rather than a
practical one – one to be observed rather than truly interacted with.
But for the other ‘Unités’, that do not receive the same number of
tourists to permit them to promote it in the same way, the only
solution for the time being, has been simply to stop using them.