Razzle Dazzle in Enghien-les-Bains, France by HOLDUP Architecture

Article source: HOLDUP Architecture

The initiative taken to invest in new communication technologies testifies to the willpower of Enghien Les Bains to become a first-rated cultural hub within the most populated region of France.

‘ The Municipality Is Indeed Strongly Determined To Prove That Contemporary Creation Is Profitable To Highlight Its Historical Heritage.’

By adding giant screens to the existing urban furniture set, the Centre Des Arts is offered a chance to share its productions with a broad audience, from digital and visual arts to dance or theatre performances.

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• Architects: HOLDUP Architecture
• Project: Razzle Dazzle
• Location: Enghien-les-Bains, France
• Dimensions: 3x L4m W1m H6m
• Status: Ongoing
• Completion: February 2012
• Budget: 600,000€
• Condition: Private commission
• Client: Centre Des Arts
• Engineering: GMGB
• Technology: Philips

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Matching with the municipality’s identical concerns, a new typology of urban element will be elaborated to distinguish these singular screens from usual advertising media. Borrowing from micro-architecture’s codes, they start a dialog with the city and its citizens in a sophisticated manner. Imprinted in both pragmatism and originality, the final design is an answer to durability concerns and free expression: an inspiring idea turned into a tangible and sustainable reality.

Visually ubiquitous within the municipality’s core, each screen is treated like a beacon: a meeting point, a landmark, a one-off theatre, an art distributor. Easily recognizable, these totemic icons might be adopted by local inhabitants and visitors without delay. Controlled by the CDA, the event-driven programming will be permanently renewed to give rhythm to each citizen’s daily life. Meant to delight passers-by as well as regular “customers”, the various art interventions will continuously incite them to dynamically interact.

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‘ Combining Several Graphic Solutions, From «Moire*» Pattern To «Dazzle**» Camouflage, The Facades Draw A Parallel Between Digital And Analogical Optical Effects, Without Disturbing The Readability Of Videos Displayed.’

* Interference pattern obtained when two grids are overlaid with a certain angle or when they have slightly different mesh sizes.

** Complex pattern of geometric shapes in contrasting colors, interrupting and intersecting each other, used on ships as a military camouflage paint scheme.

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Highly exposed to weather variations, vandalism or even road accidents, the structure supporting the screens and its associated shell are both conceived with the exact same requirements than pieces of urban furniture: run-off crashes absorption, weather resistance, limited maintenance, easy cleaning, anti-vandal devices, electric equipments safety, out of reach electronic devices, etc.

Schema

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Tags: Enghien-les-Bains, France

Category: Community Centre

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