Multicultural centre in Isbergues, France by Dominique coulon & associés

Article source: Dominique coulon & associés 

The site offers an interface between the town and an inter-municipal park. The project extrapolates this situation in terms of volume, positioning on the plot of land, and internal organisation.

Image Courtesy © DAVID ROMERO-UZEDA

• Architects: Dominique coulon & associé, Dominique Coulon, Steve Letho Duclos, Architects
• Project: Multicultural centre
• Location: Rue Léon Blum 62330, Isbergues, Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, France
• Photography: GUILLAUME WITTMANN, DAVID ROMERO-UZEDA
• Client: Ville d’Isbergues
• Project assistant: Gautier Duthoit
• Construction site supervision: Agence Olivier Werner
• Engineers and consultants :
  • Structural Engineer: Batiserf Ingénierie
  • Mechanical Electrical Plumbing Engineer: BET G. Jost
  • Cost Estimator: E3 Economie
  • Sustainable approach advisor: BET G. Jost
  • Acoustics: Euro Sound Project
  • Scenographer: Changement à Vue
• Program: Theatre 400 seats / Rehearsal room / Library
• Surface: 3928 m2
• Costs: 6 200 000 euros H.T
• Dates: 
  • Schematic design : 2010
  • Completion date : 2013
• Construction companies: VATP (earthworks roadworks landscaping), NORLIT ENTREPRISES (structure), DETAM (steel roofing structure), ERTCM (carpenter), ALU ARTOIS (exterior joinery), MEVITAL (metalworks), MENUISERIE ALEXANDRE (interior wood works), MODULE (plastering), FLOORCOLOR (resin floors), CARRELAGE REVETEMENT CALAISIS (tiled floors), BARDAILLE (glued floors), SAS NORD PEINT (painting),  KONE ASCENCEURS (elevators), D.DELPORTE (electricity), ETS BONNEL (plombing), AXIMA SEITHA (heating and ventilation), CAIRE SAS (scenic metal works), CSE TECHNOLOGY (scenic pre-wiring), TECHNOLOGISTIQUE (theatre seatings)

Image Courtesy © DAVID ROMERO-UZEDA

The project creates a broad courtyard in front of the park on one side and an alignment with the town on the other. Its volumes slide over each other; they are covered with a locally produced stainless steel skin, in three different finishes – satin, mirror and matte – creating a kinetic effect reflecting the sunlight. This covering allows the building by turns to disappear into the grey of the sky and to reflect light intensely.

Image Courtesy © DAVID ROMERO-UZEDA

Image Courtesy © DAVID ROMERO-UZEDA

The eye is drawn by the apparent complexity of the chaos, while broad transparent areas serve as catalysts directing visitors towards the entrances to the building.

The internal organisation of the building is clear. One axis between the park and the town crosses the project, thereby offering two entrances. The entire programme is grafted onto this axis, with the theatre on one side and the media library on the other. This axis serves as a federating interface. A dynamic arrangement of volumes and contrasting lights guide the visitor from this area towards either the media library or the theatre.

Image Courtesy © DAVID ROMERO-UZEDA

Image Courtesy © DAVID ROMERO-UZEDA

The interior spaces are rich and varied. The theatre walls are in bush-hammered concrete, which improves the acoustic. The different areas in the media library have been designed with ergonomics in mind, and a number of different reading postures are proposed, using a platform with a richly varied profile. The storytelling area is formed by continuous folds which envelop the children in a confined space.

Image Courtesy © DAVID ROMERO-UZEDA

Image Courtesy © DAVID ROMERO-UZEDA

All along the proposed promenades, folding creates frames for a series of views out over the contrasting landscapes. This new arrangement is designed as an intermediary between the town and nature.

Image Courtesy © DAVID ROMERO-UZEDA

Image Courtesy © GUILLAUME WITTMANN

Image Courtesy © GUILLAUME WITTMANN

Image Courtesy © GUILLAUME WITTMANN

Image Courtesy © GUILLAUME WITTMANN

Image Courtesy © DAVID ROMERO-UZEDA

Image Courtesy © GUILLAUME WITTMANN

Image Courtesy © DAVID ROMERO-UZEDA

Image Courtesy © DAVID ROMERO-UZEDAImage Courtesy © DAVID ROMERO-UZEDA

Image Courtesy © DAVID ROMERO-UZEDA

Image Courtesy © DAVID ROMERO-UZEDA

Image Courtesy © DAVID ROMERO-UZEDA

Image Courtesy © dominique coulon & associés

Image Courtesy © dominique coulon & associés

Image Courtesy © dominique coulon & associés

Image Courtesy © dominique coulon & associés

Image Courtesy © dominique coulon & associés

Tags: France, Isbergues

Category: Cultural Center

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