In Seilh, Melrose: Townhouses and Transitional housing developed by TAA

By Welding Helmet Lab Editorial Team May 28, 2025 Architecture Archive
In November 2021, TAA completed the “Melrose” project for Ametis in Seilh, comprising 18 townhouses and mid-range residential buildings with a total area of 3,148 m² and a budget of €6.8 million. Part of the Laubis Development Zone 1 plan, the area previously hosted a European architectural design competition won by the AR357 team. Located near the Airbus plant and Toulouse Exhibition Centre, TAA proposed a courtyard-centric housing scheme for Zone 1, which is divided into plots B8, B9, B10/B11, and B12, implemented by AR357, FFFFBBB, and TAA respectively.

Strategic Location and Design Framework

The Laubis development benefits from its geographic position: on the edge of Toulouse’s vibrant northern district, adjacent to Seilh’s historic center, and along the Garonne River with rich ecology—natural ditches already host wildlife. Running east-west, these natural ditches guided urban planners and landscape architects.
  • Housing Features: Ground-floor homes have private gardens; upper-floor units feature south-facing loggias. Parking is centralized in tree-lined public areas.
  • Urban Layout: Buildings run east-west to maximize Garonne River views. Larger public structures (larger than townhouses) anchor corner plots. Two north-south parking lanes and an east-west pedestrian alley integrate into the layout, forming a cohesive “ribbon” of buildings around open public spaces. Mixed housing types vary in height to define spatial diversity.

Design Philosophy: Grid-Based Ribbon Housing

“The grid defines the ribbon housing, prompting us to design housing types by height. We established a functional layout for T3 homes and varied it by adding volumes on the ground, first, or second floors,” explains TAA. This creates formal and volumetric combinations that enrich the project’s urban character.
  • Ribbon Architecture: North-south ventilated. Two-thirds of homes have central courtyards for natural light in all rooms, serving as extra outdoor spaces. Non-courtyard units add typological diversity.
  • Entrance & Garden: All homes have independent north-facing entrances and south-facing gardens. A central alley connects townhouses and mid-block units.
  • Unit Variations: Mid-block homes are also ventilated. Smaller units on the ground floor have direct garden access; larger units upstairs feature south-facing loggias and east/west private balconies. Some attic-style 4-bedroom duplexes (“monastery-style four-room units”) back onto public courtyards, creating green private spaces and a vibrant urban frontage on Plot B10/11’s south side.

Ancillary Features and Community Integration

  • Customizable Furniture: TAA designed modular garden furniture (compost bins, water tanks, summer kitchens) for townhouses, available for purchase to personalize outdoor spaces.
  • Infrastructure: Bike parking is located in public courtyards and mid-rise buildings. Household waste areas are near vehicle entrances. A multi-functional sports ground at the parking courtyard extension fosters community interaction.
  • Shared Garden: Adjacent to the west building, a communal garden includes a vegetable patch, greenhouse for seedlings, tool storage, and shaded dining areas, encouraging neighborly engagement.
  • Material & Layout:
    • Parking areas: Concrete pavers with tree pits every four spaces.
    • Pedestrian alleys: Swept concrete, aligned with public road standards.
    • Sports ground: Rough concrete with steps and sports equipment.
    • Townhouse entrances: Swept concrete paths, 1.5m-tall galvanized steel storage units, and small green spaces.
The Toulouse-style courtyard serves as the primary entrance sequence for townhouses, blending functional design with greenery and communal elements.

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