Article source: Bona-Lemercier

Rebuilt after the last war in a style reflecting the local Ile de France architecture, though on a much smaller scale than the original, the Château de Rentilly lost its historical value and its significant relationship with its remarkable location. This project has sought to restore both aspects by encasing the building in a second skin of pleated, mirror polished stainless steel which reflects and diffracts the image of the park, acting as a kind of sound box. The interior has been stripped down and simultaneously opened up on both opposite sides, one to the jardin à la française, the other to the english landscape park, emphasising the concept of immersion in the natural world.

Image Courtesy © Florian Kleinefenn

• Architects: Bona-Lemercier
• Project: CHÂTEAU DE RENTILLY-FRAC Ile-de
• Location: Domaine de Rentilly, Bussy Saint Martin, France
• Photography: Florian Kleinefenn
• Partners: Xavier Veilhan, artist and Alexis Bertrand, scenographer
• Collaborators: Margot van Gaver, Paul Vincent, Gabriel Coin
• Engineering: Malishev-Wilson, VPEAS, BETEL, Switch
• Client: Communautéd’agglomération de Marne et Gondoire, with the Ministry of Culture (state commission of a work of contemporary art)
• Area: 1350 Sq.m.
• Budget: 3,45 M €
• Year: 2014

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