First Place Winner
Rooftop City
Design by
Emeline Vagnol & Marie Passard
Successfully transforms an underutilized rooftop into a vibrant civic destination by seamlessly integrating cultural, recreational, ecological, and social programs with the surrounding urban fabric.
Emeline Vagnol & Marie Passard
Emeline Vagnol
Marie Passard
Celebrating Creativity & Vision
Winner’s Spotlight: An Exclusive Interview
Discover the story behind the victory — from concept to creation.
Concept & Interpretation
Urban Roofscape Activation invited participants to reimagine rooftops as active, inclusive, and meaningful extensions of the city. What was the central idea behind your proposal, and how did you interpret the competition theme within your architectural vision?
We considered the Urban Roofscape Activation theme as an opportunity to develop untapped areas in the city. Our reflection focused on the social and environmental nature of the use of roofs. We chose this project site, which is already engaged in a transformation phase. Its position plays a central role in life and in the city, and connects residents with each other and their environment.
Reimagining the Urban Roofscape
Your proposal transforms an often-overlooked rooftop into a vibrant urban space. How does your design redefine the role of rooftops in contemporary cities, and what new possibilities does it create for urban life?
In our opinion, the roofs of contemporary cities are now little exploited and generally intended for technical uses. We wanted to return the surface of the roof of the Bourse Centre to the Marseillais, while creating new urban lifestyles. The two walkways allow residents to access the roof and offer new urban perspectives. We imagined urban activities on the roofs related to sport and well-being, and culture, both connected by a need to bring vegetation to the city, and to manage urban heat islands.
Community & User Experience
Rooftops have the potential to become shared civic spaces. How does your design encourage social interaction, inclusivity, and a meaningful experience for diverse users while fostering a stronger sense of community?
Our main idea was to return the roof surface to the Marseillais and to urban life. The accesses, via walkways, allow the building to be opened to the living and the public space on the ground. The themes of culture, sport and the environment aim to promote inclusiveness and social ties between residents, at the level of the neighborhood and the city. Cultural-related facilities have been planned to allow the inhabitants to appropriate the space, with spaces for exhibitions and ephemeral shows. The roof becomes an open-air cultural space. The sports equipment is deployed over the entire roof, promotes movement and offers various sports-related equipment (multi-sport fields, running courses, relaxation area, etc.). This active walk transforms the roof into an everyday destination.
Spatial Design & Urban Integration
How did you shape the spatial organization, circulation, landscape, and architectural elements of your proposal to create a seamless connection between the rooftop, the building, and the surrounding urban context?
Two monumental footbridges create a physical and visual link between public space, public transport and tourist routes. They connect the roof with its urban environment, and facilitate daily access to facilities. The location with living colors creates an attractive visual appeal for pedestrians.
Innovation & Architectural Expression
The competition encouraged participants to think beyond conventional rooftop design. What aspects of your proposal do you consider the most innovative, and how do they contribute to redefining the future of urban roofscapes?
The project invests the unused roofs of the city to make it a gathering place, combining culture, sport, and environment. This creates a hybrid place, in a context of densification and overheating of cities.
Sustainability & Environmental Performance
How did you integrate sustainable strategies into your proposal? Please share how your approach to materials, biodiversity, water management, energy performance, climate responsiveness, or ecological systems strengthens the overall vision of the project.
We have integrated vegetation all over the roof. Watering is done with a rainwater recovery system. All structures arranged on the roof are planned in a light structure, from the dry sector and from the local economy. The green roof layout creates a lung in the city center of Marseille, and is an experimental place for the management of renewable energies (wind, sun, rain, heat...)
Adaptability & Future Cities
Cities are constantly evolving. How does your proposal remain adaptable to changing urban needs, environmental challenges, and future patterns of use while ensuring long-term relevance and resilience?
Our proposal is part of a current reflection, aimed at giving a new use to the Bourse Centre. We had spotted the available and unexploited roof surface. It is a place that highlights technical innovation, mixed with artistic and cultural expression, and sport. The concept of our project can be available in other cities and for other buildings. This concept is resilient in the long term and its relevance makes it feasible in other cities.
The Future of Rooftop Architecture
As urban density continues to increase, what role do you believe activated rooftops will play in shaping healthier, greener, and more connected cities? How can architects contribute to unlocking the untapped potential of the urban roofscape?
As we know, today's cities are particularly dense and develop horizontally. In our design, we sought to develop the city vertically, using free spaces on the roofs. These elevated spaces adapt to the rising water and the increase in ground heat. The project offers Marseilles nearly 16,000 m2 of exploitable areas, overlooking the city.
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