4 unités LC - Architecture Insights

II.3 Context
83-84. The ‘Unité d’habitation’
in Rezé pictured first in 1953,
and now, July 2000.
Rezé-les-Nantes is a small industrial town situated just outside of
the larger city of Nantes, in the West of France, bordering the
regions of Brittany and the Loire Valley. It is located on the site of a
Gallo-Roman settlement, and its ancient beginnings are still under
research today. Remains have been recently discovered on a site
adjacent to that of the ‘Unité’ where archaeological digs are
currently being undertaken.
Unlike in Marseille, the ‘Unité’ of Rezé is not sited along one of the
town’s main roads. It is set back, on the edge of the town, but its
position is still prominent as it is set on the very top of a hill and is
visible from anywhere in the surrounding area. This location allows
the ‘Unité’ to seemingly preside over the meek little town to which
it belongs, an impressive building, standing out above all that
surrounds it – the urban fabric growing much more slowly than in
the busy city of Marseille.
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85. Site plan of the ‘Unité
d’habitation’ in Rezé.
Despite this lack of development, however, the small town of Rezé
is compact, and services and facilities are all with in sufficient
proximity to each other (even for pedestrians). Just below the
‘Unité’, at the base of the small hill, the local council offices are
located, along with a small café/bar, newsagent and church. Not far
from the site is also a large shopping complex servicing the whole
of the surrounding area.
The building in Rezé is situated in the middle of a 7 hectare site 10 ,
over which park and recreational space is spread.