Herce-Saint-Mathurin District – Laval | 2026, Paul Jaquet, France

Architects: HAME + PALAST
Lead Architect: HAME + PALAST
General Contractor: undesignated firms
Client: Kauffman & Broad
Architectural rending: Galerie blanche
Technicals drawings: Hame/Palast

Grounded in the "Reinventing Our City Centers" initiative, the project advocates for the integral preservation of the existing built heritage. While introducing new architectural elements specific to Laval, it encourages a new custom-built and unique densification strategy.

Serving as a catalyst for the revival of the historic center, the project enrolls in a collaborative approach, bringing life into urban spaces. Therefore, it works on activating ground floors by reinforcing their use on the neighborhood scale. To emphasize the quality of living, the 53 newly created or rehabilitated residences follow a crossing housing plan that prioritizes summer comfort and harmonious connections with the landscape.

The project incorporates innovative interventions, such as virtuous rehabilitation of existing structures and the use of locally decarbonized resources, thus revealing a vision of a responsible urban transformation that respects spatial heritage. . Co-constructed with Palast office, the new Hercé-Saint-Mathurin district echoes towards new urban development approaches.