Curated by ArchiRev Editorial | Feature Story | Published June 6th, 2026 | Source: MVRDV
Typologies: Residential, Retail, Bar-Restaurant
Themes: Architecture, Housing, Mixed Use, Sustainability
Status: On Site
Location: Bordeaux, France
Year: 2016–
Surface: 5,250 m²
Client: Pichet
La Vallée Verte Bordeaux MVRDV is a residential project in Bordeaux’s Bastide Niel district, sitting on the right bank. It blends landscape with architecture in a unique way. Instead of building a standard apartment block, they created three linked buildings with a cool green courtyard cut right into the centre. This turns an otherwise tight space into a private oasis just for residents. The project follows MVRDV’s big idea for the area—a plan to revitalize the neighbourhood while keeping historic parts intact and adding modern homes too.
Aerial view of La Vallée Verte showing the triangular site, sculpted building forms, and central green courtyard © MVRDV
This development project occupies a triangular plot of land at the northwest corner of Bastide Niel. The location of this project in Bastide Niel offers an advantageous position between new urban avenues and evolving public spaces in the region.
The planning concept for Bastide Niel as a diverse cityscape is characterized by a variety of architects who implement the concept of the master plan by MVRDV. The plan includes principles such as easy pedestrian access, abundant natural light, and varied buildings to create a modern replica of European cities.
View of the development within the wider Bastide Niel district showing its relationship to surrounding streets and urban blocks © MVRDV
From the outside, the three buildings seem geometric in their forms and design, with the slope of the roofs addressing the need for natural light in this area of the city. This ensures that neighbouring buildings receive enough natural light through the year. The exterior surfaces are finished with white paint, creating a neat finish for the entire development. However, the project is characterized by one main feature, which creates the uniqueness and the signature of the project: a circular cutout in the middle of the building mass.
This central void acts as a green valley that completely changes the perception of the whole project. While other apartments look outwards at a common space for use by all residents, this courtyard looks like an extension of the surrounding landscapes. This creates a setting where people enjoy intimacy and seclusion within the confines of the city environment. It offers a unique space that creates a sense of exclusivity and privacy.
Interior courtyard view showing the circular green valley, cascading terraces, and planted balconies © MVRDV
The facade of the courtyard is arranged using an exponential form, widening the terraces as they move down, thus providing expansive exterior spaces that help connect occupants to nature. The full-height windows, encased in dark window frames, further emphasize the sculpted form, pulling natural light inside the units. As a result, the balconies transform into a landscaped sequence as they ascend the structure.
Close-up of the curved courtyard façade showing expansive terraces, full-height glazing, and integrated planting © MVRDV
Planting is an important part of giving identity to the site. Large planters are located on various terraces, which house a great diversity of plants. Some of them also serve the function of balustrades, combining functional aspects with the overall approach toward landscape design. They help to give the feeling of a natural valley rising above the built structure, softening its density and increasing the level of biodiversity in the urban environment.
The project also encourages social diversity by including apartments of various sizes. Ranging from studios to bigger apartments for families, they allow housing people with diverse backgrounds in one building, thus helping the broader goal of making Bastide Niel a dynamic neighborhood.
Residential terraces overlooking the courtyard landscape with varied apartment configurations © MVRDV
On the ground plane, the development also goes further than just creating homes as it relates to the outside world. A two-storey restaurant faces both the interior courtyard as well as the Quai des Queyries, thus creating a link between the occupants of the development and its wider surroundings. Commercial space also occupies an important corner position, generating action on the street frontage, keeping the building alive throughout the day.
Street-level view showing restaurant frontage, retail space, and public interface along Quai des Queyries © MVRDV
Sustainability is a concept that pervades the entire project. As one element of environmental goals set for Bastide Niel, the thermal requirements of the construction are met using renewable energy resources. Along with the biodiversity-friendly planting approach, abundance of natural light, and focus on outdoor spaces, this project illustrates that environmental efficiency can be integrated into architecture.
La Vallée Verte Bordeaux MVRDV proposes an entirely new residential experience by turning a small triangular-shaped piece of land into a living green landscape. This project proves that high-density living, social interaction, and nature can coexist in the same place.
GALLERY
