The Beam: A competition win for MVRDV in Villeneuve d'Ascq, France.

Images: MVRDV.

The masterplan for the renewal of the French town Villeneuve d'Ascq will be designed by MVRDV after they beat off competition from four other practices.

The scheme is distinguished by the massive cantilever of the upper level accommodation over the existing motorway. The idea is that the daring structure flags the town's renewal and acts as a reference point for the centre itself.

The iconic function of the new buildings is perhaps the single most important one for a new town, but the 15,000 square metres of retail and parking for 274 cars will also see the centre of the town dramatically increase in density.

MVRDV are of course Dutch. They worked with local French architects Jérôme de Alzua to develop the scheme.