Accedi
Utenti registrati
Saint-Jean-de-Luz lacked a cultural and meeting place, and this imposing public building had to find its place among the surrounding residential fabric. The fragmentation of the facade volumes was a way of responding to the resulting regulatory constraints, and lending a certain lightness to the imposing building. Respectful of its context, both the building and its color echo local architecture. The building is built around a void that serves as a link between the many and varied elements of the program: a music school, theater and dance halls. The eye is never stopped. Volumes are felt in their continuity, and set off by openings that let in natural light, which is also treated as a material. A play of contrasts leaves plenty of room for surprise and emotion: from white to concrete, then from concrete to bright red.
Votazioni chiuse
Two-thirds of the project's boundaries back onto residences. This leads to regulatory constraints that have influenced the aesthetics of the façade. The decomposition of volumes and the apparent simplicity of the facade have enabled this program to find its place in its environment in a respectful manner, and to resonate with the other built elements on the site. Natural light floods the interior. The glazed portions offer beautiful views of the building’s garden. This garden was important to us, we really wanted it. The existing mineral forecourt at the entrance to the building also inspired us to create this volumetry of large sculptural blocks laid in a seemingly haphazard fashion.
Although concrete is, for acoustic reasons, an unavoidable material for the construction of venues dedicated to musical and scenic activities, there are a number of features that enhance the durability and eco-compatibility of a project.
The façade's white surface reflects light, preventing overheating. The hollows created in the building's volumes create cool zones and allow light to enter indirectly. High-performance insulation combined with low-emissivity glazing ensures highly efficient energy management. The same applies to LED lighting, which automatically regulates itself according to natural light. The companies hired to construct the building had to meet environmental criteria such as the quality and origin of materials.
An atrium stretches up, like a self-evident feature, between two parts: to its east, a vast theatre; to its west, three levels that contain superimposed sections – a music school, theatre rooms and dance studios. This triple height gives the place a noble aspect. The atrium stands out as the centre’s beating heart that unites all the functions of the architectural programme within a collective structure and a site for sharing – a centre for togetherness and coexistence. Natural light floods the interior. The glazed portions are invitations to discover the different spaces. This place is designed to create bonds. And it offers beautiful views of its garden. Indeed, this garden embellishes the cultural centre, showcasing it wonderfully. A small open-air theatre has been made in this outdoor space and two large rooms for collective practice lead outside generously. The layout, at once simple and elaborate, has the advantage of making the whole place, organised in this particular way, pleasantly compact. The centre combines practicality with poetic expression and the building’s density ensures wonderful fluidity inside: to get around the interior, you cover short distances in hallways bathed in natural light. With its arrangement of rooms, put together in an abundance of light, this centre invites you to journey through it and underlines the different aspects of its rich architectural programme.
“This facility is the cornerstone of the town's cultural life,” announced current mayor Jean-François Irigoyen. He was keen to respond to those who criticized the cost of the facility, asserting that “culture is not a luxury”, that it enables development and outreach. The cultural center will have an inter-communal vocation, and will be aimed particularly at young people. https://www.mediabask.eus/eu/info_mbsk/20230907/le-centre-culturel-peyuco-duhart-ouvre-ses-portes
Located in the heart of Strasbourg, Dominique Coulon & Associés is a firm of architects of national and international renown.
For more than 25 years, the agency has earned a reputation for the quality of the public facilities it designs. It has worked on a wide and varied range of programmes, including a media library, music school, auditorium, school complex, swimming pool, sports facilities, a residential home for the dependent elderly, and housing.
Dominique Coulon and his associate Steve Letho Duclos allow their intuition to lead the way as they seek to develop contextual projects that combine contrast and complexity, where the outer envelope hints at inner richness. Spatial quality and natural light are fundamental elements in every project: space is always controlled by precise geometry.
The agency has received many awards and distinctions. In 2022, the French Academy of Architecture awards its Grand Gold Medal to Dominique Coulon.
