Design & planning proposal for the urban integration of a Les Abymes a fringe suburb of Pointe a Pitre in Guadeloupe (French West Indies). The design has to illustrate a model for urbanisation in Tropical climates.

Scope of Service Urban Appraisal; Concept level Master planning; Urban programming; Urban Design; Architectural design

Notable features  The proposal looks at issues of density and a mixed development in terms of the program mix but also of building typologies- high-rise and low rise; Climate and culturally responsive planning and design. The exterior spaces are an integral part of the space program. The residential structures are low rise and extremely permeable to pedestrian movement. Vehicles are accommodated in a partly sunk basement thus liberating the ‘ground’ exclusively for pedestrians.
Housing is proposed as an evolutive unit that offers various kinds of occupation from a single family house to studio apartments organised around a courtyard. 
Commercial development is proposed in a high rise structure that will act as a landmark to which Les Abymes can be associated as seen from the adjacent elevated hi-speed ring road.
Retail development in the podium of the high rise interspaces between the residential and the commercial part of the program. It extends into the an open air bazaar thus exploiting the rather gentle climate of the region.