Belles Terres Residence: Inclusivity in the Service of Humanity | 2023

The Belles Terres Residence, for APF France Handicap in Béziers, redefines medico-social infrastructure with an inclusive and sustainable approach. Spanning 4,500 m² over one level (R+1), it houses a Specialized Care Home, a Medically Assisted Foyer, a Day Care Center, and medico-social services. The project provides a functional and welcoming living environment tailored to adults with disabilities. As with all its projects, the VGA agency combines sensitive creativity with innovative agility, utilizing powerful design tools integrated into a methodology primarily based on exchange.

Architecture Inspired by a Village

The design draws its inspiration from Mediterranean vernacular architecture, with buildings reminiscent of a village, featuring sloped roofs and light-colored facades that create a warm, non-institutional atmosphere.

The spatial organization, structured along North-South axes for accommodations and East-West axes for common areas, forms a fluid “8”-shaped circulation. The rooms, grouped into “houses,” open onto landscaped patios, offering intimate and calming spaces. At the center, a main house gathers the common areas, promoting social interactions within a functional organization. Each resident thus finds a clear and appropriately designed space that reflects a balance between conviviality, well-being, and autonomy.

Innovation and Sustainability at the Heart of the Project

Certified with a Silver level of the Bâtiment Durable Occitanie (BDO) label, the Residence reflects an exemplary environmental commitment. Its bioclimatic design, featuring pergolas and shaded patios, optimizes comfort while reducing energy consumption. VGA prioritized sustainable materials: low-carbon concrete, insulation made from recycled textiles, and French timber framing. High-performance, it exceeds current thermal standards thanks to solar panels that cover 50% of hot water needs and a centralized technical management system. Mediterranean vegetation, which is water-efficient, and devices like pergolas and misting systems provide passive cooling during the summer.

Well-being and Inclusion

The VGA agency adopted an inclusive approach, seeking to integrate differences to avoid inequalities. This “village,” with its modular and adaptable houses, allows residents to face daily challenges while facilitating their inclusion by prioritizing the human aspect over the medical aspect.

Designed for autonomy and well-being, the residence offers rooms equipped with transfer rails, wide corridors, adaptable home automation, and exterior pathways that encourage interactions. Its landscaped common areas, with patios and terraces, enhance sensory comfort. Continuous dialogue between users, medical teams, and the VGA agency helped design a warm, user-driven environment. This participatory approach naturally integrated the needs of residents and staff while managing costs and minimizing disruptions.

An Inspiring Vision

With its vernacular design, ecological commitment, and inclusive philosophy, the “Belles Terres” Residence redefines medico-social facilities. VGA and APF France Handicap combine innovation, sustainability, and humanity to offer an inspiring response to the new challenges of the 21st century.

Category:Hospitals/Medical CentersLocation:Béziers, Hérault, FranceArchitect: Vivien Gimenez, FranceDesign Team: Vivien GimenezPhotographer: Vincent Boutin