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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. SETEC International office Building extension to a Jean Prouvé office Existing Building in Vitrolles, France by Series et SeriesNovember 14th, 2012 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Series et Series The headquarter of the International SETEC, located in Vitrolles in the south of France, formerly EPAREB (Etablissement Public d’Aménagement des Rives de l’Etang de Berre) was built in several phases. Firstly, in the 70s, Jean Prouvé implemented “Petroff system” developing a three-dimensional structural steel sheet and plexiglass panels on the front. This device would allow to cover a large area without increasing the bearing points, which in turn was covered by aluminium stiffeners attached to the work front.  Image Courtesy Series et Series
 Image Courtesy Series et Series As an engineer, architect, metal-worker and designer, Jean Prouvé introduced technological advancements in fabrication to the construction of architecture. In 2011, for the design of a new adjacent office building, the same criteria of economy, flexibility, quality of light and material efficiency were explored as inspirations for design, to explore material through various solutions.  Image Courtesy Series et Series The projected volume is a parallelepiped located on a slope, on the property line and perpendicular to the limit. An overhang adjacent to existing and project buildings can join and create a link between the covered buildings. The building consists of a set level partly buried concrete on which is placed a floor office metal frame.  Image Courtesy Series et Series BUILDING SKIN Constraints such as budget, space requirements, and possible future programmatic variation called for an exploration of the building skin. Various screens were tested for their structural and daylighting qualities. The flexibility of the open plan would allow the structure to be easily adapted to residential use.  Image Courtesy Series et Series Natural lighting is prefered, facades exposed are protected by a large overhang. This sunscreen is made of white bright resin panels. The final device is the result of several proposals presented to client from contemporary reference, from Mathieu Mategot to the Fernand Pouillon arcade revisited.  Image Courtesy Series et Series The repeated arches act as a simplified form to easily suggest or emulate the effect of a pine forest canopy similar to that surrounding the Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul de Vence. Cost and aesthetic, normally acting in opposition to each other, are able to become singular in an emulation of Prouvé’s process. The resulting design aims to stand complimentary to, not in contrast to, the existing building, emulating Prouvé’s process in order to marry style and economy.  Image Courtesy Series et Series PROFILE BENJAMIN SERIES  Image Courtesy Series et Series From private residential and institutional buildings, large and small scale, to establishments open to the public, he practices in all areas of architecture. Argumentation and communication project from genesis to the implementation of the work, quality of uses and attention to architectural detail are the leitmotifs of his process work.  Image Courtesy Series et Series THOMAS SERIES  Image Courtesy Series et Series This specialization, along with teaching at École Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris, allowed him to witness and participate in the creative process of projects ranging from the creative with OMA and BIG, to the efficient and professional with KPF and SOM. Learning from these collaborations, he was driven to examine new fields, and formed firm Sériès et Sériès to further explore and build his own vision of architecture.  Image Courtesy Series et Series “The intention behind all of our proposals is to create enthusiasm in the city, it is work that needs to be explained. We address the design of the city; this is an approach that requires us to look further than the construction of buildings. Intervention in the urban landscape must accommodate the behaviours of all of society.  Image Courtesy Series et Series The relationship between architecture, economy, culture and behaviour, and nesting are central to our thinking of each project. It is a communicative creativity that we seek in our proposals. Passed through the filter of all the constraints of use, safety, and technicality, we ultimately propose an architecture that does not seem laborious, but which can generate courage, desire, and connection.  Image Courtesy Series et Series To create accidents in the city is to create benchmarks. It is envisaged as a moving portrait, with its projections of architecture characterized and recognizable by the emotions they invoke. The value of architecture other than its physical performance can be found in an emotion that will be accessible to everyone.  Image Courtesy Series et Series We envision contemporary architecture as a result of discussions between different environments/characters. In conceptual discussion we put ourselves in danger, we must put in continuous effort to defend and convince; meanwhile, the project builds itself from these confrontations. Communication and explanation are aspects of process that we do not neglect.  Image Courtesy Series et Series The problem of speech and exchange arises from strategy, it is through communication and explanation of the project that the architect can afford expression beyond specifications. Architectural design is no longer just an explicit tool provided to the user, but becomes a real engine. Only the clearest expression of a concept allows a pure interpretation. »  Image Courtesy Series et Series
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