Place Du Nombre D'or (The Golden Number Plaza), Montpellier

The Golden Number Plaza (Place du Nombre d’Or) is a central square in the Antigone district of Montpellier, designed by the renowned Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill. The square, completed in 1979, was the first structure erected as part of the larger Antigone project, which aimed to balance the city’s expansion eastwards and connect the urban core with the river Lez.

As a landmark agora and symbolic entry point to the district, the plaza’s design draws heavily on the principles of classical architecture and the Renaissance ideal of harmonious proportions. The entire layout, from the overarching structure to the smallest details, is governed by the golden ratio. This geometric harmony creates a stark contrast with the chaotic, irregular urban landscape surrounding the district.

The Golden Number Plaza consists of 288 apartments arranged in three semicircles, four corners, and a main entrance gateway. Each semicircle is made up of 12 x 12-meter square modules, creating a balanced, symmetrical layout. Emergency stairs are hidden within columns, and elevator modules are placed closer to the center. The façades feature pilasters, evenly spaced openings, and a parabolic cornice. A green frieze at the top blends the building with the sky, enhancing the light and shadow effect on the pale yellow concrete surface.

In the heart of the square, a fountain, installed in 2000, lies embedded in the ground and can only be observed when it is in operation. The fountain, illuminated by 152 white searchlights, adds a dynamic element to the square, enhancing its lively atmosphere. The plaza is accessible via four passageways located at the corners and a grand urban door on the eastern side.

Ricardo Bofill’s architectural concrete expertise is on full display in the Golden Number Plaza, with the façades treated as reconstituted stone. The interplay of light and shadows, combined with the calculated geometry, creates an environment that is at once monumental and intimately residential, setting a benchmark for subsequent developments in the Antigone district.