Tremblay Human Rights Plaza  --

The Human Rights Plaza is a central pedestrian area that sits over a vast multi-storey car park. This elevation above the natural terrain gives it a rather confidential and introverted feel. The administrative but also cultural and commercial functions it fulfils give it a major role in reconstructing the urban fabric. Our approach is to emphasise its advantages by restoring its proper place in the heart of the town and in the daily lives of Tremblay residents. The gridded paving pattern plays a major role in the design as it connects the surrounding façades, develops into wide shallow steps and access ramps inviting the public into the heart of the new town centre and integrates successfully the elevator and stairwells of the underground car park. In the centre of the plaza and set with the paving pattern the ground lifts into a rectangular green carpet sloping towards the theatre, a green amphitheatre facing the theatre, for open-air plays and concerts. The lighting is subtle, integrated into the hardscape layout, accompanying the footsteps of the passing public in a discreet and playful way. These lighting markers are bright and coloured at night, also stand out during the daytime in a more subtle way.