The design of the Grand Place reimagines the square as both a large public forum and a living, adaptive urban garden. Flexible layouts, robust detailing, and contextual sensitivity create a resilient, inclusive landscape that enriches Arras’s identity and offers new quality of life at the city’s core. Respecting the site’s monumental identity, the square features various areas with diverse paving that range from bustling event spaces to a lively central garden.

A defining element of the project is the “Carré Planté”, a flexible green square that brings a lush, ever-changing landscape into the center of the square. Around 250 mobile planters of varying sizes and compositions are distributed within this garden space, referencing the historic “chambres de verdure” (green rooms) of Flanders and adding year-round ecological and atmospheric diversity. Each planter is crafted with robust steel and finished in the characteristic “Bleu d’Arras” colour, offering a contemporary homage to the region’s cultural heritage.

Sustainability and local ecology are central to the project’s ethos. The native and adapted plant palette, including trees, shrubs, grasses, and perennials, creates a rich supporting urban biodiversity.

To further enhance the environmental quality and user experience, an integrated misting system is introduced within the Carré Planté. A network of high-pressure misting jets is embedded within the paving, creating ephemeral clouds of cooling mist on warm days. This not only provides a playful and refreshing microclimate but also evokes a sensory delight for visitors of all ages.

Distinctive seating elements and atmospheric lighting at night foster a welcoming ambience for locals and visitors alike.