Recently the landscape plan for the Eiffel Tower site designed by Gustafson Porter + Bowman was given final approval by the Council of Paris (Conseil de Paris). The plans were reviewed by both the mayor and by the public with an online consultation at the end of last year. The project includes adding 35% more planting, more than 200 new trees and the pedestrianisation of the Iena bridge. Phase One is expected for completion in time for the Olympics in Summer 2024.
Gustafson Porter + Bowman’s ‘OnE’ design proposes a unified central axis that celebrates the Eiffel Tower at the central point between the Palais de Chaillot at the Place du Trocadéro and the École Militaire at the Place Joffre. This backbone creates a readable landscape of regreened spaces: lawn terraces at the Trocadéro, extended public space at the Varsovie Fountains, the reincarnation of Pont d’Iéna as a green bridge, the creation of two new squares at either end of the bridge, a planted landscape beneath the Eiffel Tower and raised lawns for the Champ de Mars.
Finding and staging new views of the tower, points of interest are created from which to enjoy the site. The central axis ‘landscape of power ‘serves to focus the sense of perspective of the Tower from both ends of the site. Framing this is a second landscape, one that recalls the French ‘picturesque’ and its history of gardens as places of artistic experimentation and an increase in biodiversity. The human scale is prioritised, so that places for pleasure and pause become invested with their own identity. Intimate garden spaces frame the central axis with a rich mix of ornamental and native planting allowing space for temporary events and installations.
“We are delighted that the Tour Eiffel “One” project is moving into the first phase of construction. This is an important moment for a major historical site to become more accessible to all people, and be more environmental, sustainable and resilient. We have also worked on increasing biodiversity cross the site, including modifications to historical lights to meet new standards. We thank the city of Paris for leading the way in their movement to a more sustainable, healthy and liveable city. Bravo Paris.”
Kathryn Gustafson – Gustafson Porter + Bowman
Greening of the Eiffel Tower Site
Gustafson Porter + Bowman would also like to acknowledge their design team collaborators Chartier Corbasson, Sathy, Ma-Geo, Inex, Bollinger + Grohmann, Atelier Monchecourt and VPEAS.
Images Credits: as captioned