Les Girandières Residence, Villeneuve d’Ascq: A harmonious dialogue between brick, concrete, and color
In the northern French city of Villeneuve d’Ascq, within the innovative La Maillerie district, the new senior residence Les Girandières has been built. This district – located on the historic grounds of the well-known mail-order company 3 Suisses – has undergone an impressive transformation into a modern, mixed urban environment.
Cantillana contributed to this project with a color-optimized mortar solution and an exceptionally flexible logistics system.
The Project: Modern living with care
Les Girandières Residence was designed by the renowned architectural firm ANMA, at the initiative of developers Linkcity and Nhood. The complex consists of three interconnected buildings that together accommodate 128 senior apartments.
The design stands out for its careful balance of materials:
- Colorful masonry: A play of brick shades ranging from orange-red to purple.
- Contrasting concrete: Sleek white concrete elements that give structure to the façade.
- Green accents: Sustainable roof gardens that contribute to biodiversity and the residents’ quality of life.
Aesthetics and Technology: The perfect joint color
For the exterior walls, the Iberia Asturia brick by Wienerberger was selected. The challenge for the architects and the construction team (Bouygues Bâtiment Nord-Est and CMN Constructions) was to find a mortar that would perfectly complement the rich color variations of the brick, from orange to purple.
The choice fell on Cantillana’s DSM masonry mortar, produced in a color specifically matched to the brick. Thanks to this technique, the façade bricks could be laid and pointed in a single movement, resulting in superior color consistency and a clean façade appearance.
Innovative Logistics: The power of the Minisilo
What makes this project particularly special is the logistical approach on site. Instead of traditional silos or loose bags, a minisilo system combined with 1200 kg big bags was used.
The advantages of this mobile solution:
- Maximum mobility: The minisilo is compact and can easily be moved by the bricklayers as the masonry work progresses. The mortar is therefore always exactly where it is needed.
- Guaranteed quality: Mechanical mixing in the minisilo ensures constant mortar quality and prevents color differences caused by manual dosing.
- Efficiency and productivity: Less waste on site and faster processing thanks to the product being immediately available.
Result
Les Girandières Residence is a beautiful example of how modern senior care and high-quality architecture come together. Through the use of colorfast flush pointing mortars and smart logistical solutions, Cantillana helped realize the architects’ vision down to the smallest details.
Cantillana: Smart logistics and aesthetic perfection on every construction site. Contact us for more information.
