Jardins Secrets: A Duo of Bioclimatic Shells at Montpellier’s Cité Créative | 2026

“The residences unfold as bioclimatic, shell-like envelopes shaped by the Mediterranean Sea, sun and wind, creating a breathable microclimate.” — Vincent Callebaut

Delivered in March 2026, the “Jardins Secrets” project by Vincent Callebaut Architectures is located in Montpellier within the Cité Créative district on the former site of the École d’Application de l’Infanterie. It is part of a wider urban regeneration strategy transforming former military land into a new ecological, social and architectural district.

The project includes two residential buildings: Théia (75 units including 17 affordable homes) and Opale & Sens (38 units including 11 affordable homes), for a total of 113 dwellings designed under RE2020 standards with strong attention to biodiversity, energy efficiency and social diversity.

Awarded the Silver Pyramid for Global Quality in 2024, the project stems from a competition launched by the City of Montpellier in 2021, confirming its role as a reference operation for Mediterranean urban transformation.

Inspired by Art Nouveau and biomimicry, Jardins Secrets reinterprets Horta, Gaudí and Gallé to create an organic architecture adapted to Mediterranean conditions. The buildings are conceived as shell-like envelopes responding to sun, wind and climate.

Their curved exoskeletons without right angles act as contemporary mashrabiya systems, improving shading, natural ventilation and thermal performance. These porous façades regulate solar gain while maintaining openness to the landscape. The design follows a “form follows climate” approach based on sun paths, wind flows and site constraints.

Located near Parc Montcalm and integrated into the Cité Créative ecological network, the project contributes to a continuous green corridor connecting urban and natural environments. This supports biodiversity, cooling effects and soil permeability.

Environmental strategies include rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse for irrigation, low-carbon construction and high-performance insulation. Dense Mediterranean planting inspired by garrigue enhances evapotranspiration and reduces urban heat island effects.

Energy is provided by a district biomass system and rooftop photovoltaic panels, reinforcing renewable and local energy cycles.

The 113 homes are arranged around a large open ground courtyard planted in full soil, reducing sealing and improving microclimate regulation. The project connects to its surroundings through pedestrian paths, shaded corridors, vegetated patios and shared outdoor spaces. Raised ground floors ensure privacy while maintaining continuity with the urban fabric.

The L-shaped building includes 75 cross-ventilated apartments from T2 to T5. Deep 3.5 m loggias extend living spaces as usable “bonus rooms”, while curved balconies serve bedrooms. Roof terraces provide panoramic views over Montpellier. Parking is located underground in a naturally ventilated structure, supporting soft mobility.

This more compact R+3 building features a central full-height patio acting as a ventilation shaft and climatic regulator. Apartments combine vegetated loggias and curved balconies, while ground-floor units benefit from elevated private gardens, enhancing cooling and privacy. The façades create a continuous interplay of vegetation, light and shadow.

Within the Cité Créative, Jardins Secrets promotes a regenerative urban model combining density and ecological porosity. It integrates shared gardens, shaded walkways, renewable energy systems and water-sensitive design.

Beyond sustainability, it restores ecological cycles (water, energy, biodiversity) and strengthens social interaction and climate resilience. Passive design reduces overheating and improves comfort without heavy mechanical systems.

Merging Art Nouveau heritage with ecological innovation, the project expresses an “Art Nouveau 2.0” vision where architecture mediates between humans, climate and nature, balancing performance, comfort and environmental integration.

Category:Affordable, Social, and Community Living HousingYear:2026Location:Montpellier, FranceArchitects:Vincent Callebaut Architectures Lead Architect: Vincent Callebaut Associate Architects:West 8 Urban Design & Landscape ArchitectureLandscape Architects:Land'Act Paysages & Territoires Design Team: Agnès Martin, Liao Jung, and Stéphane Vandersteen General Contractor:Société Équipement Construction Travaux Publics (SECTP)Client: Bouygues Immobilier and Vestia Groupe Photographer: Courtesy of the Architects