FINAL PROJECT ARCHITECTURE DEGREE
ENSAB

LA CHRYSALIDE Urban farm in Rennes

Professors: Nadia Sbiti, Mathieu Lebarzic, Ewan Sonnic
In group with Jeanne Kermaïdic
2011 -2016

Developed in collaboration with Jeanne Kermaïdic as part of our final-year project,
La Chrysalide reimagines the transformation of the former Jacques Cartier prison, abandoned since 2010 and threatened with demolition. 

By repurposing this historic site into a hub of community and reconnection with nature, we envisioned an urban farm complemented by a brewery, a farmers' market, and a student residence.
This mixed-use project promotes permeability between Rennes Train Station and Brequigny neighborhoods through pedestrian and cycling pathways, while preserving privacy for its various functions. 
At the heart of the design, an inhabited wall connects the site’s programs and offers an elevated walkway, showcasing each stage of production and transformation.

La Chrysalide represents a metamorphosis—turning a once-confined space into a vibrant place of life, tranquility, and shared experiences.

Site Location Rennes, France
Jacques Cartier Prison Rennes, France