Plaine Marie Janson

— Francesca Di Carlo (A+304)

The Plaine Marie Janson in Saint-Gilles has been redeveloped by Studio Paola Viganò and vvv, following on from the temporary occupation of the building organised by Toestand. This project, part of the Parvis-Morichar neighbourhood contract, is based on the site’s various uses: games, sports, relaxation and meetings. Neither quite a park, nor quite a square, the layout provides a balance between structure and freedom, fostering diversity in both moods and scales.

Existing trees have been preserved, cars have been removed from the area, green spaces have been linked together, and three pavilions have been added. This layout recognises and enhances people’s daily lives. Designed to be a living collage, the project accommodates multiple, sometimes unexpected uses, and invites residents to use the space collectively. It’s part of a wider dynamic of urban transformation, where public space is becoming a place of experimentation, coexistence and shared storytelling.