The mixed-use Saint-Urbain development of eight buildings creates a new ‘urban island’ in the French city In the French city of Strasbourg, LAN (Local Architecture Network) has completed the Saint-Urbain block, a mixed-use development of eight buildings in various bright colours, comprising housing (including both social and intermediate rent), office space, a hotel and shops. Located between the historic city centre and the neighbourhood of Neudorf – a former industrial suburb turned densely populated urban district – the Saint-Urbain block connects the two areas while visually appearing like a colourful ‘urban island’. Across eight buildings set around a central garden, the development includes 178 homes, 2,756 sq m of offices, a 123-room hotel, and eight food shops and restaurants.