French architects Malcotti Roussey associated with Thierry Gheza and Territoires (landscapers) shared with us their social and cultural center for Giromagny, a commune in northeastern France. More images and architect’s description after the break.
Military presence left a strong mark in the urban landscape of Giromagny. Without a great heritage value, barracks stays historical referencies. Then, geography and History introduce the « social and cultural center » project and its public spaces. They are a preamble for the project linking a sensitive relationship with the « genius loci ».
We insert the project in the orthogonal urban structure of the barracks, almost at the original place of the old cultural center. Organized on two levels, the new project surround now the existing theater and transform it in the center of the new composition. This focused organisation allows an efficient flows gestion, before spread in a fragmented composition, the center brings together users and works like a lobby.
The strong compacity of the building is a visual demonstration for users of bioclimatic principles. The two main facades, south-east and south-west, provide light for most of the spaces. South-east entrance facade is free, south-west is protected in summer by high trees of the « Parc de la Savoureuse » which is next to the center, in winter it benefits of the sun when trees have no leaf.
A double skin composed by sun protection in wood protects these facades from direct light in summer when the sun is high and let it enter in winter. The in-between of the double skin organises a place rich of uses : rain protection on gound floor and terraces which extend outside activities on first floor.
