Vincent Lulzac

Echoes of home

Rediscovering Nantes’ Landscape through Movement 

‘Echoes of Home: Rediscovering Nantes’ landscape through movement’ is a cultural garden project in which visitors are invited to interact and connect with the geological, hydrological and anthropological forces that lay the foundations of the city of Nantes. The seven ha project site lies at the crossing of a 300-kilometre-high geological fault and the 1000-kilometre-long horizontal Loire river, dividing the greater landscape of Nantes. These landscapes include river plateaux, wine-growing plateaux, marshlands and the riverbed. Unfortunately, the richness of these landscapes can hardly be appreciated from the city.

Due to its strategic position, Nantes played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade, leading to rapid urbanisation during the ‘Golden Age’ and subsequent industrialisation at crane distance from the river; influencing the city’s landscape, as well as the city’s image; with a shift toward exotic products and imageries. In the 20th century, the maritime industry shifted closer to the sea, leaving behind empty quays and an industrial wasteland. To maintain the city’s attractiveness and dynamism, a strategic decision was made to channel investments into cultural initiatives, taking advantage of the rich tapestry of colonial heritage to its fullest potential. However, the consequence of this approach is evident today – a city that thrives on nostalgic aspirations yet struggles to anchor itself deeply within its local ethos.

In response to this heritage, the project seeks to emancipate itself from extractive practices, both in its narrative and execution. Rooted in a personal quest to decolonise the practice of landscape architecture, this project tries to reclaim Nantes’ cultural and natural heritage, while encouraging a deeper connection between visitors and the land. By suggesting movement, visitors are invited to engage with the space, not only visually, but also physically. The design was approached like choreography, where the visitors and the elements are part of a dance.

Graduation date: 16 April 2024
Graduation committee: Thijs de Zeeuw (mentor), Erik A. de Jong, Lada Hršak
Additional members for the exam: Berdie Olthof, Justyna Chmielewska