23/09/2026
❄️ -10°C IN SUMMER, WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING
What if this was tomorrow’s housing?
⛱️ As bioclimatic architecture, PARASOLS prevents apartments from overheating in the first place, instead of trying to cool them down afterwards.
In Montpellier, PARASOLS proposes to transform plot G2 of the ZAC Port Marianne République into a habited park, inspired by the structure of umbrella pines shaped by the mistral wind.
🌳 Designed by Vincent Callebaut Architectures, Paris, this project embodies regenerative bioclimatic architecture, where summer comfort, low-carbon construction and living systems drive the design.
🌞 Bioclimatic architecture tailored to the Mediterranean climate
PARASOLS applies key bioclimatic principles - orientation, thermal mass, solar shading and natural ventilation - to create a favorable microclimate year-round.
- Continuous loggias, setbacks and planted circular balconies form a built canopy: more shade in summer, more light in winter.
- Optimized cross-ventilation through strategic orientation and building porosity, reducing reliance on air conditioning.
- Thermal mass and time lag achieved with heavy and bio-based materials, smoothing out summer heat peaks.
- Geocooling wind chimneys harnessing the ground’s thermal inertia, with zero kilowatt-hour consumption.
Result: up to -10°C of natural cooling in summer, without active air-conditioning systems.
♻️ Measurable responses to urban climate challenges
PARASOLS demonstrates that collective housing can become positive climate infrastructure:
- > 50% bio-based materials, including a hybrid low-carbon concrete and CLT structure.
- Up to 70% water autonomy through greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting.enov
- 50 tonnes of CO₂ captured annually thanks to integrated vegetation.
- Preservation of century-old pines and ecological continuity with the neighboring arboretum, creating a true urban cooling island.
🏡 Housing that creates use-value and social connection
- Cross-ventilated apartments, garden balconies, green roofs and generous bicycle storage.
- A design that combines environmental performance, biodiversity and quality of life, meeting residents’ expectations in the face of heatwaves.
🏆 Performance targets
BBCA Excellent, Effinergie Passiv, NF Habitat HQE Confort+, BDO Excellent and RE2020 C-10.laad-architecture
🌍 Tomorrow’s real estate doesn’t just reduce its footprint: it regenerates soils, the local climate and the links between city and nature.
📍 ZAC Port Marianne République, Montpellier
📐 Vincent Callebaut Architectures, Paris
🤝 Bouygues Immobilier × Montpellier, Ville, Métropole et CCAS
👇 What’s your vision for climate-ready housing in 2030?
