Blonde standard

Like for every building in Bastide Niel, the overall shape of the Ilot Queyries buildings allows for optimal daylight access in every dwelling, and at least two hours per day of direct sunlight reaching the ground floor. This explains the irregular angles of the roofs. The masterplan further prescribes that every building fills the envelope, but allows for cuts and openings, as long as they keep the overall contour of the volume intact. Another rule is that the exterior of every buildings is clad in a material which matches what Schippan calls the ‘blonde’ color of the stone traditionally used in Bordeaux, like marble, granite, concrete, or ceramics. The cuts in the building can be finished in other materials, and might be more colorful, as the Îlot des Queyries project of MVRDV demonstrates. The ‘meat’ of the building, under its light skin is revealing a warm red stucco.