European Landscape Architecture: Best Practice in Detailing

France

The edge of the pond consists of sand and pebbles

from the nearby coast.

Each canal has an infiltration pond designed to hold

the capacity of the severe storm that occurs once

in a hundred years. The actual shapes of these

ponds differ from the initial competition proposal as

a result of new calculations; they each now have an

area of 200m^2.

The section through one of the canals shows how

they are designed to respond to different func-

tional needs. The bottom is covered with a layer of

Bentonite, a kind of clay that expands when water

is added and creates an impermeable surface. A

bench in the slope serves as a maintenance path.

This also gives visitors the opportunity to take a

walk in private.

The layers of aquatic plants treat the water in the

canals by absorbing pollutants such as nitrogen,

phosphorus and suspended solids.

The vegetation is varied and, as mentioned before,

is inspired by the species from the surrounding

biotopes such as the wetlands, canals and forests

on the plateau and near to the sea. In the park

there are fewer trees than on the south side of the

service building. The overall pattern in the park is

that the slopes and park borders are planted with

shrubs like Salix caprea,Cornus mas and Viburnum

tinus which are not allowed to grow too high. The

wetlands and canals are planted from an ample pal-

ette of water-adapted plants. The reeds in the canals

grow abundantly and must be cut regularly. The

bas champs, the picnic area and the caravan area

are treated differently to provide a more cultivated

appearance, with small trees chosen for the colours

of their flowers and leaves.

There are different textures of grass. The humid

areas can be inundated and are covered with clover.

The open prairies are mown once a year to maintain

a rural appearance. The areas close to the service

building and parking are more frequently maintained

to give them a well-cared-for look. This selection of

vegetation gives the visitors a genuine impression

of the wider landscape when walking in the park.

3.16
Section of the site through the park showing the
cylindrical tower and the three canals
3.17
View from the tower towards the picnic area and
the A16 during construction