Whether creating, transforming or restoring, the agency’s approach begins with a close reading of each place — its history, its evolution and the forces that have shaped it — in order to understand its purpose and assess its potential in light of contemporary challenges. Every project is conceived in relation to what is already there, both natural and cultural, and in the dialogue that develops with it. The stakes are high, culturally as well as ecologically and economically. This raises the question of how these places might be adapted so they can be inhabited and brought to life, while remaining rooted in a spirit of contemporary creation.
Culturally, the aim is to build on the insights of our predecessors, to pass on their thinking and to highlight the value of what they achieved. Ecologically, working with the existing fabric as material helps limit demolition and new construction — and their impact — and encourages reuse and recycling. Economically, this approach reduces the costs associated with demolition and construction, and supports a more sustainable economic model.
Under the title “The Spirit of Place”, the exhibition at the Galerie d’Architecture brings together a selection of projects and completed works that embody this approach, including: the creation of the Animated Film Centre on the site of the former National Stud Farm in Annecy (a listed historic monument); the restoration of the Salève Cable Car stations (a listed historic building within a Natura 2000 site); a selection of visitor-facility projects for the Centre for National Monuments; the restoration of Eileen Gray and Jean Badovici’s Villa E-1027 and the wider Corbusian site at Cap Martin (listed historic monument / UNESCO World Heritage); the Alb’Oru Cultural Centre in Bastia (for the National Agency for Urban Renewal); House D; and House M (Archinovo Jury Grand Prize, Technal Awards).
Echoing the workshops run by the agency — where each “shared” project is the outcome of collective work, analysis, debate and proposals brought into synergy — a series of events invited discussion on the challenges of creating, transforming and restoring existing places, while situating the agency’s own approach within these questions.
Whether creating, transforming or restoring, the agency’s approach begins with a close reading of each place — its history, its evolution and the forces that have shaped it — in order to understand its purpose and assess its potential in light of contemporary challenges. Every project is conceived in relation to what is already there, both natural and cultural, and in the dialogue that develops with it. The stakes are high, culturally as well as ecologically and economically. This raises the question of how these places might be adapted so they can be inhabited and brought to life, while remaining rooted in a spirit of contemporary creation.
Culturally, the aim is to build on the insights of our predecessors, to pass on their thinking and to highlight the value of what they achieved. Ecologically, working with the existing fabric as material helps limit demolition and new construction — and their impact — and encourages reuse and recycling. Economically, this approach reduces the costs associated with demolition and construction, and supports a more sustainable economic model.
Under the title “The Spirit of Place”, the exhibition at the Galerie d’Architecture brings together a selection of projects and completed works that embody this approach, including: the creation of the Animated Film Centre on the site of the former National Stud Farm in Annecy (a listed historic monument); the restoration of the Salève Cable Car stations (a listed historic building within a Natura 2000 site); a selection of visitor-facility projects for the Centre for National Monuments; the restoration of Eileen Gray and Jean Badovici’s Villa E-1027 and the wider Corbusian site at Cap Martin (listed historic monument / UNESCO World Heritage); the Alb’Oru Cultural Centre in Bastia (for the National Agency for Urban Renewal); House D; and House M (Archinovo Jury Grand Prize, Technal Awards).
Echoing the workshops run by the agency — where each “shared” project is the outcome of collective work, analysis, debate and proposals brought into synergy — a series of events invited discussion on the challenges of creating, transforming and restoring existing places, while situating the agency’s own approach within these questions.
11 rue des Blancs Manteaux, 75004 Paris
