NIEL’S
BARRACKS
ECO-SYSTEM
Bordeaux Bastide
“?
WHY “DARWIN
During the XIX th century Charles Darwin suggested a different outlook on the
world in which he gave an interesting insight of mankind, especially regarding its
place in the ecosystem and its capability to adapt to an ever mutating environment.
This theory has never made so much sense on the looks of today’s economy and
the unprecedented environmental crisis.
“
« In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who
learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively prevailed. »
In the long history of
humankind (and ani-
“
mal kind, too) those who
learned to collaborate and
improvise most effectively
prevailed
Charles Darwin
Darwin’s legacy is not only relevant towards science but it also gives a new
philosophical perspective. To that matter, the Darwin Ecosystem has decided to
set the theories in motion and advocating diversity by always reinventing itself, by
investing new fields of expertise and promoting innovation as a strategic business
asset. The project countervails the mass conformity of today’s economical
framework.
OUR WORK IS A TRIBUTE TO DARWIN’S VISION.
INNOVATION
BUSINESS & SOCIAL INNOVATION
/ Project incubator
association and companies
+ global performance approach
+ mecenal policy
& endowment fund
SOCIAL INVESTMENT
/ Archipel Investissement Fund
+ SAS Darwin Bastide
/ radical cooperation & co-working
+ conference rooms (la Nef)
/Social business incubator
URBAN ECOLOGY
+ eco-mobility
+ renewable energies
+ efficient water management
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
/ + 100 SMBs in creative economy
and green economy
+ 350 jobs and 80 jobs created
URBAN CULTURES
éco-système
15 associations /
indoor skatepark
+ urban artistic creation
TERRITORIAL
INTEGRATION
/ Reboost of the
right riverbank of Bordeaux
+ preservation of the architectural heritage
+ Window to the future
eco-district Bastide-Niel
ARCHITECTURE
FRUGALITY & BIOCLIMATE
/ Renovated into LCBs
+ bio-sourced materials
+ Waste management
ECO RESPONSIBLE
CONVENIENT STORE & SERVICES
/ le Magasin général :
grocery store & bio bakery
+ green restaurant
+ la manufacture
/ Kindergarden
1,2,3 soleil
+ la Conciergerie
+ eco-lodge spa
+ relaxation & sport
ECONOMIC COOPERATION
Initiated by entrepreneurs from
Bordeaux, the Darwin Ecosystem
has been devoted, since 2008 to
renovating the Magasins Généraux
of the ancient barrack Niel. The main
ambition is to set up a heterogeneous
community that is creative, socially
and ecologically responsible. To that
effect, Darwin hosts a large panel
of activities, spread on 3 hectares:
creative companies working in
environment, business incubators and
associations as well as workshops and
sports facilities. A green restaurant
and a relaxing spa are also in the
making.
Indefinable and unprecedented, some
see in DARWIN the incarnation of the
Hakim Bey’s «Temporary Autonomous
Zone». The DARWIN Project walks
in the steps of many other projects
all around the world: «The Hub» in
Bruxelles and London, the «Center
for social innovation» in Toronto,
the «Skate Halle» in Berlin, the
«Gundeldinger Feld» in Bale or even
the «LX Factory» in Lisbon. They all
share the same ideals: innovations,
cooperation and a more frugal concept
of development.
Seen as a laboratory for ideas,
DARWIN is investing on new ideas
and business models that are ready
to face the depletion of fossil fuels,
the scarcity of primal resources,
the evolution of work needs and
corporation meaning.
DARWIN is a hybrid and fluid place
where different economical and
cultural dynamics come together to
create a genuine ecosystem propitious
for creativity and frugality. It is a real
social and economical platform for
entrepreneurs, associates, artists and
citizens.
FOR AN
ECOLOGICAL
TRANSITION
URBAN
CREATIVITY
Devoted to contribute to the social
and ecological transition, the DARWIN
ecosystem uses low-energy buildings
and promotes maximum use of
renewable energies and circular
economy. It is also accompanying
companies into a more responsible
way of energy consumption; even the
In today’s world, the new social
strategy spurs cultural and
economical mix. This new model
is based on the fact that sharing of
knowledge and long-term investment
are progressively becoming a
«powerful driving force».
water is collected from the rain!
Here in Bordeaux, the DARWIN
project creates an ecosystem
favourable to creativity by stimulating
exchanges on professional
expertise and social experience.
Meeting point between artistic
expression, social initiatives and
urban cultures, DARWIN is a place
for experimentation, innovation
and hybridization that invent new
developing models based on
collective intelligence.
A UNIQUE LOCATION
Located in the heart of Bordeaux, facing the historical frontages
and part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
Bordeaux
Futur Wine
civilization city
BRAZZA PROJECT
CHABAN-DELMAS BRIDGE
BASSINS À FLOTS
PROJECT
>
5 km
<1,
ZAC BASTIDE
NIEL
BORDEAUX
EURATLANTIQUE
PROJECT
PLACE
STALINGRAD
LES CHARTRONS
<1,5 km>
ST-JEAN
TRAIN STATION
PIERRE
BRIDGE
LES QUINCONCES
PLACE DE
LA BOURSE
BASTIDE NIEL
ECO-DISTRICT
An ambitious urban project
34 HA OF SURFACE
395 000 m2 Net Floor Area
8 000 Inhabitants
265 010 m2 for Housing
59 900 m2 Equipments
25 000 m2 of Shops
15 000 m2 of economic activities
06
05
03
Existing
04
07
In project
01
08
09
10
LES MAGASINS NORD
// Shops, events and offices
- Le MAGASIN GÉNÉRAL (GF / BUI A)
- La CONCIERGERIE (GF / BUI A)
- La MANUFACTURE (GF / BUI B)
- L’ATRIUM & la NEF (F+1 / F+2 / BUI A)
- Le CAMPEMENT (F+1 / BUI B)
LES MAGASINS SUD
01
02
03
// Indoor SkatePark, urban cultures and La Brigade club
LE DEPOT
// Bike polo, roller derby, recycling factory
05
TETRODONS’ VILLAGE
06
LE PETIT ENTREPOT
07
LA MAISON NIEL
08
LES CHANTIERS DE LA GARONNE
09
CHEZ ALRIQ
10
// urban farming
// Residency for artists, temporary hostel for youngsters, inhabitants’ cooperative
// Up coming Magasins Généreux, BMX Park, BMX Bandits club
LE HANGAR
LA FERME NIEL
04
// Sports, treatment and relaxation
// Ecolodge hotel
// Boat wharehouse & nautical club Les Marins De La Lune
// Guinguette
A HANDFUL
OF COMMITTED
SUPPORTS
Darwin’s ecosystem is an initiative the EVOLUTION group. In command, Philippe
Barre, an entrepreneur from Bordeaux, determined to invest his personal deniers
into a meaningful economical project and supported by a team of dedicated
collaborators.
Hereon, small to medium businesses, associations and public institutions have
joined in and contributed in the making of the Darwin Ecosystem. .
WHO’S HELPING ?
The Evolution group insures the project management. To conduct the
construction, the group teamed up with a handful of competent managers
(architects, researchers, real estate agents, engineers, brokers...) whom largely
contributed to the project’s diversity.
WHO’S INVESTING ?
Investors formed a partnership to drive the estate project and thus constituted
the SAS DARWIN-BASTIDE led by the main shareholder, the Evolution group.
WHO’S FINANCIALLY SUPPORTING ?
The DARWIN Eco-System can rely on partners such as banks, public and
industrial companies to accompany the project. With the great support of the
Mayor of Bordeaux and the Urban Community of Bordeaux, Darwin Ecosystem
was able to acquire the property in the best conditions for the project.
European Commission (Feder funds), the Aquitaine Regional Council and ADEME
have granted subsidies in order to set-up this ambitious eco-renovation.
Finally,” la Lyonnaise des Eaux financially supports DARWIN as part of its
program of rain management..
WHO’S ACTIVELY SUPPORTING ?
Aside from a large supporting committee, the driving force of the DARWIN project
relies on its heterogeneous actors (locals, associations, professionals, students
and volunteers) that are able to set the project into a social reality.
Since 2008, Alain Juppé has been actively supporting the cultural, ecological and citizen dynamic of
the Darwin eco-system. Here with Philippe Barre and Jean-Marc Gancille, cofounders of the Darwin
Eco-System at the Citizen Architecture Prize in 2013.
GREEN &
CREATIVE
ECONOMY
DARWIN is convinced that today’s economy needs deeply to review its
fundamentals and adapt to the new challenges of our times. Reinventing business
models implies more transversal collaboration and solidarity to others.
It allows the coexistence of diverse activities and services that all share one thing
in common that is social and environmental responsibility.
COOPERATION OF ALL AZIMUTHS
The Objective of DARWIN is not just to organize the wellbeing of this little
neighbourhood. The idea is to develop convenient synergies favourable to
economical intelligence, creativity and community welfare.
« THIS
ECO-CREATIVE
CLUSTER IS FULL
OF RICH TALENTS
AND INNOVATIVE
MINDS »
DARWIN is all but a self-centred community. The deployment of new projects,
new forms of entrepreneurship with stronger meaning maximize relationships on
a wider scale.
« GREEN AND CREATIVE » ENTREPRENEURS
Accordingly, DARWIN has more than 100 economic actors working in two
essential sectors: green economy (firms and environmental consultancies, startups, sustainable development...) and creative economy (communication, design,
architecture, new technologies...).
All actors share a common sensibility to social organization and environmental
responsibility, with varying degrees of maturity, which makes it even more
interesting!
DARWIN is designed specifically to facilitate the expression of this diversity.
DARWIN
CO-WORKING
& INCUBATOR
DARWIN CO-WORKING
DARWIN has set-up 75 co-working posts so that small businesses can integrate
connected and dynamic areas, that are often hard to find in today’s cities.
Self-employed, young entrepreneurs, consultants that wish to work in the best
conditions and enjoy the dynamic of DARWIN, can join the ecosystem for 290
/ month.
The Darwin ecosystem provides more than 750m² of office space that includes
office furniture, high speed Internet, meeting rooms, mailboxes and access to all
public areas.
The success of this offer has been overwhelming and there is no doubt that it has
largely contributed to diversity of the ecosystem.
THE BUSINESS INCUBATOR
(CITY OF BORDEAUX)
Join the
eco-system
for 290 €
/ month.
The business incubator supported by the city of Bordeaux and co-funded by the
Communauté urbaine de Bordeaux (CUB), the Aquitaine region and the E.U.,
wants to set a modern example of what an incubator is. Its originality not only
resides in its form but also in its object that is to think differently on company
creation and value creation. Indeed, because of the diversity of the actors, the
companies are able to benefit from the expertise of others; there is a strong
devotion to collaboration hence the importance of an open space for work. The
idea that physical boundaries are an impediment to collaboration is prominent in
the Darwin Ecosystem.
ENCOURAGING RESPONSIBLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Social entrepreneurship has been experiencing a 5% growth for the past 10 years,
in France. They are involved in cross-promising sectors:
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waste recycling...)
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resources, limiting energy consumption, recycling/energy recovery...
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consulting, landscaping...
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circuits...
DARWIN &
THE DARWINIANS
The core values of DARWIN are set everyday in motion by the men and
women that work in this ecosystem. It is to that effect that the association the
«Darwinians» was created in January 2013. It gathered more than 100 structures
and 350 people in less than 6 month after its creation.
THE DARWIN PROJECT IS
SET IN A SOCIAL REALITY
THANKS TO THE DARWINIANS’
DEDICATION (…)
The association is here to give a guideline on ecological transition, economical
cooperation, space management and financial needs to the Darwinians.
This association brings the Darwin Ecosystem to life by providing a human and
mature dimension to the project, permitting to establish lasting relationships
suitable for business cooperation and value sharing.
THE
FAIR
CONCIERGE
«La Conciergerie» has for objective to facilitate the life of the occupants and
the companies. With an eco-offer it supports collaborative structures. La
Conciergerie is also dedicated to help social integration via employment. Indeed,
all the concierges are from difficult backgrounds.
The concept: to provide a helpful support for the occupants that often are short of
time. The objective is to help them save time.
Services: personal services (grocery shopping, laundry...) as well as reservations
(transport, hotels, hobbies…) and deliveries (flowers, food…) and car renting,
computer repair and much more !
EVENT
HOSTING
AT DARWIN
Darwin Ecosystem is situated in an uncanny place; where nature has been
coexisting with street art and ancient French architecture. This beautiful site
attracts more and more people eager to promote their events in an unusual
place.
Mutation is the key element for the event planners that work in the ecosystem.
The event community is composed of diverse experts that are able to create
original and heterogeneous events that turn into memorable meetings.
The events contribute strongly in promoting DRAWIN’s core values.
THE
ENDOWMENT
FUND
The endowment fund is the main supporting organ and coordinator for the nonprofit organizations that are implanted on the DARWIN site. They are mainly
social and cultural associations but there are also sports federations that
strongly contribute to the development of urban sports in Bordeaux.
EXAMPLES OF ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED
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Philippe Barre, President / Vincent Saint-Jean Lassalle, Vice President /
Sylvain Lepainteur, Secretary / Jean-Benoit Perello, Treasurer
Aurélien Gaucherand: General Delegate
WAREHOUSE
DARWIN :
AN ECO-DESIGNED
SKATEPARK
AN INDOOR SKATEPARK ECO-DESIGNED & DEDICATED TO URBAN
CULTURES
The urban community federates numerous sports and cultural disciplines:
Skateboard, videos, electronic music, hip-hop, street art, all contributing in the
making of a real «urban culture». The city of Bordeaux has been a major player in
terms of creativity and dynamics thus numerous skaters wished to set up a real
indoor skate park on the right riverbank of the city.
The Warehouse in which an innovative and mobile skate park has been built was
able to answer that need.
The Warehouse has been renovated with recycled furniture found on the Niel site!
Social collaboration has never been illustrated so beautifully.
There is also a Bike polo association and a Roller Derby association and other
frugal activities (workshops, silkscreen painting…) contributing to the diversity of
the site.
Contributors: endowment fund/ La Brigade, one of the main associations on site/
Bordeaux Long-skate Club/ the Roller Derby Club/ Bordeaux bike polo/ Darwin
Custom/ Amis du Pignon Fixe/ BMX Bandits/ Yuh Can Wine/Studio Tricolore, and
well...all the DARWIN volunteers.
DARWIN
CUSTOM
URBAN SPORTS &
CREATIVE WORKSHOP
Darwin Custom welcomes fifteen DIY enthusiasts and two wheels fans (bicycles,
motorcycles). These young mechanics, through knowledge sharing and creativity
imagine the design of their mount.
What used to be an informal gathering of aficionados is now a real place of
expertise.
RESSOURCERIE / RECYCLERIE
«La Ressourcerie» allows material and equipment storing necessary to the
development and evolution of the skate park. In fact, the associations involved
in urban riding sports identify Darwin’s warehouse as a recycler of fun boxes for
skate, BMX and Roller.
With the support of the Endowment Fund in partnership with voluntary Unis-Cité,
the association Brigade shall ensure its layout and the logistics.
POLO BIKE AND ROLLER DERBY
A shared indoor space for the Bike Polo and the Roller Derby Club associations
was set up inside the DARWIN Depot. While their research with the community of
Bordeaux had remained unanswered for the past several years, this pragmatic
solution has enabled the existence and development of these alternative sports in
Bordeaux.
THE
URBAN FARM
The DARWIN Ecosystem has set-up an urban farm to promote responsible
consumption. With the help of the endowment fund DARWIN drives projects,
experimenting different ways of urban farming. It is a real farming laboratory:
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educational and consuming purposes.
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farming.
Even if the space is limited, the urban farm wants to host field trips for
youngsters and promote a fun, playful way of learning the importance of
responsible consumption and ecological farming.
LES CHANTIERS
DE LA GARONNE
& LES MARINS
DE LA LUNE
/// STAND UP PADDLE
/// SAILING
/// ROWING
/// HAWAIAN PIROGUE
LE MAGASIN
GENERAL
Consumer awareness has never been so important in today’s high
consuming society. Food traceability and ecological responsibility
has turned consumers into actors. DARWIN is strongly invested in
ecological agriculture and local procurement that are the fundaments
to a responsible consumption.
The grocery store and the restaurant will use those business models;
they will promote the concept of fair trade and sell a wide range of
ecological products.
DARWIN even created a organic-beer !
BAZAAR STORE
The Bazaar Store will support that project by providing a range of
products from the circular economy.
Far from the clichés of organic shops and places dedicated to
recycling, Le Magasin Général reflects perfectly the mix of urban
culture, cooperation and the Rock n ‘Roll attitude of DARWIN.
LE MAGASIN
GENERAL
The General Store is an unusual commercial space of 950m² involving
several activities :
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guests
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To optimize the functioning of the «Magasin Général» and encourage
the cooperation, only one corporation will be in charge of the three
activities: SARL Le Magasin Général.
Long and short term Leases will be available so that other small
businesses can contribute to the diversity of the offer. For example, a
barber shop, a book store, a flower shop, …
THE
NIEL
HOME
AN INTIMATE &
RESPONSIBLE
ECO-LODGE
For one night or for several days, Niel House guarantees a stay in Bordeaux
with the smallest ecological footprint possible. The beautiful combined with the
enjoyable, proving that getting rid of the superfluous does not mean denying the
comfort!
This urban eco -lodge may become the benchmark of ecological tourism in
Bordeaux with bias-free concessions in terms of environmental impact. The
energy-saving policy of this home allows very affordable rates to attract a wide
audience and to generalize the trend.
THE NIEL HOME
SHARED SERVICES
Everything is implemented to achieve maximum savings features:
Comfortable and cosy rooms where the emphasis is placed on comfort beddings,
sound insulation, decoration, but no frills: television only on request, no phone in
the room, no mini-bars...
There will be a shared area where all the means of communication will be
available (telephony, Wi-Fi. shared kitchen, relaxation areas).
Environmental choices for the equipment and functioning: eco design furniture,
eco-friendly laundry, waste sorting room, low energy bulbs, water consumption,
heating...
It will be an intimate and relaxing place embracing nature in harmony.
LE PETIT
ENTREPOT
A SPACE AND TIME FOR
YOU…
Common sense, moderation and relaxation are the ways for a healthy lifestyle.
Le petit entrepôt will provide spaces for relaxation alternative medicine
treatments.
ZEÏN HAMMAM :
People will enjoy a peaceful and quiet time embracing the eucalyptus scent.
Enjoying spa treatments such as peeling, massages and others. The ZEIN concept
is already well established in France, most notably in Nantes (zeinorientalspa.
fr) mixing beautiful architectures with wellbeing all in respect of the traditional
hammam savoir-faire.
It will be a perfect oasis in the middle of an urban ecosystem.
LE PETIT
ENTREPOT
DOJOS AND ALTERNATIVE
MEDECINE
DOJO FOR MARTIAL ARTS AND SOFT ACTIVITIES
The Dojo will host practices such as Aikido, Judo, Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, Monkey Bar
Gym and Kendo. There will also be Yoga, Tai Chi Chuan, Pilates and Qi Gong.
The place will offer the teaching of various relaxation techniques and massage
techniques along with wellness by touch (Tuina), massage workshops and parentbaby sensory awakening.
ALTERNATIVE MEDECINE
7 spots for treatment (physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture...) will be set up.
DARWIN is eager to promote a healthier lifestyle through physical training and
body awareness. Martial Arts, transmit ethical and caring values that relate with
Darwin’s core principles.
«
IMAGINATION
IS MORE
IMPORTANT
THAN KNOWLEDGE
»
Albert Einstein
ALRIQ’S
GUINGUETTE
FAB LAB
STUDIOS
/// RECORDING STUDIO
3D PRINTING, NUMERICAL MILLING MACHINE, LASER CUTTER, RECORDING
STUDIO, PHOTO AND VIDÉO LAB, STOCK.
/// PHOTO, VIDEO, RECORDING STUDIO & DIGITAL EXPERIMENTATION
ECO FLAT
SHARING
/// FLAT SHARING FOR STUDENTS AND YOUNG WORKERS
& CO-HOUSING
/// FOR YOUNG FAMILIES AND SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES
HOSTEL
«LA SENTINELLE»
// Enough with the clichés of dusty and smelly dormitories!
With no age limit and no curfews the new generation of hostels underwent a
successful facelift. Welcoming people not on a stay but on a journey filled by
conviviality. Entirely furnished with vintage materials, flashy colours, art and
services that compete with top hotels
LA SENTINELLE
/// OBSERVATION CAFE
URBAN OBSERVATORY AND PANORAMICAL CAFE
« THERE IS NOTHING
MORE POWERFULL
THAN AN IDEA
WHOSE TIME
HAS COME »
Victor Hugo
EVOLUTION
groupe
T. 0 5 5 6 7 7 5 2 0 6 - P. 0 6 8 9 8 6 5 0 6 7 / co nt a c t @ projetdarwin.eu
87, qu a i d e Q u e y r i e s, 33100 B o rd e a u x / www.projetdarwin.eu
Créd it s Photo : G et t yI m ages / Pier re Grene t / As tor ia Studio # 2 0 1 0
Conception&réalisation : w w w.inoxia.co m /