# Stone-Clad Commercial Blocks Local Architecture Network Completes a Series of French Blocks By Amy Duong | Published 2024-12-14 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/local-architecture-network References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2024/12/12/lan-amedee-saint-germain-district-bordeaux/) & [lan-paris](https://www.lan-paris.com/)  French design firm [Local Architecture Network](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wood-up) has just completed a range of commercial and residential blocks in Bordeaux. It is in the Amedee Saint-Germain district and is defined by [pale stone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/limestone-house) and arched emblems to complement the historic structures in the area. This project is a part of the larger plan to modernize the city with various [shops, apartments, and offices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/perron). The studio shares, "The new Amédée Saint-Germain district is defined by its existing, distinctive, and unique architectures. The first step in selecting the project's vocabulary involved searching within this vast ensemble for a common thread capable of spanning history – a motif that could be found equally in the architecture of the historic centre as well as in railway industrial architecture or that of the Sacré Cœur district. It's a process of seeking a common denominator: the shape of a window, the rhythm of a composition, the relationship between voids and solids, the grid." Image Credit: Maxime Delvaux ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 13% | Activity: 15% | Freshness: 32% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Historic-modern Architectural Blending:** Combining historical motifs with modern design offers dynamic solutions for urban revitalization, appealing to both preservationists and innovators. - **Urban-integrated Mixed-use Development:** The incorporation of residential, commercial, and office spaces in a single project underscores evolving expectations for compact, self-sustaining urban ecosystems. - **Stone Material Revival:** Utilizing stone cladding in modern construction emphasizes sustainability and aesthetic continuity, bridging historical influences with contemporary building techniques. - **Design-driven Community Enhancements:** Innovative architectural designs foster community identity and engagement, creating unique spaces that reflect local history and culture. ### Who This Affects Most - **Architecture:** Evolving architectural approaches integrate historical elements into contemporary design to meet demands for cultural connectivity and aesthetic innovation. - **Real Estate Development:** The rise of mixed-use developments presents new opportunities for real estate stakeholders to create multifunctional urban hubs that cater to diverse lifestyles. - **Construction Materials:** The renewed focus on traditional materials like stone can lead to innovations in sustainable sourcing and fabrication, aligning with green building trends. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mass-Timber Apartment Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wood-up.md) - [Gridded Urban Apartment Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-carboneria.md) - [Industrial Converted Hotel Lobbies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bacalan-block.md) - [Traditional Sandstone Housing Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/living-in-lime.md) - [Housing Block Defensive Facades](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bureau-des-mesarchitecture.md) - [Reconfigured Calm City Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/latelier.md) - [Low-Lying Limestone-Clad Schools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fossil-building.md) - [Stacked Pebble-Inspired Towers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/calais-port-tower.md) - [Interconnected Brick-Clad Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/david-chipperfield-architects.md)