Small projects sometimes have a large impact

Small projects sometimes have a large impact. The renovation of the library of Val-de-Reuil is part of them, passing with an extension of 200 m2 only and requalification work to radically change the image of the existing. In operation for 10 months, and officially opened on July 8 by Jack Lang, this re-creation in situ named media library Le Corbusier records already and already an attendance increase of 40 and creates a new dynamic in the city. The competition launched in 2002 provided only rework the entry. Yarn needle, the observation made on the existing, energy stakeholders and the determination of Marc-Antoine Jamet, Mayor of the city, helped give more breath to the project.

Designed at the time of integrated equipment, functional credo then in vogue, the old library was nested in a contiguous building of housing. Despite its location in downtown on the High Street, next to the place of young people, she was suffering from engoncement. It came, against housing, was barely visible and inconvenient, and its main facade composed of three bays in arches, typical of the 1970s, buried under a large roof slate. Even the "Arc en ciel" fresco, Psychedelic artwork by Jean-Philippe Lanclos, embodying the colours of origin of the city new and sensible report library, no longer sufficed. This washed out past winner of the competition, Jean-Baptiste Piétri, is engineered to enhance colors.

Working in perfect agreement with Michèle Pastor, curator of the library of Val-de-Reuil since 1984, this young architect active in housing here conducts its first public order. He is betting the elegance and comfort for ennobling cultural equipment. The main work is on the front for "mark the distinction between the two programs housing and media library and give it its own personality. Former creeping slate is thus removed for the benefit of a facade in advance, clear and light composition just seek passing it to the corner of streets and challenging stage equipment.

The extension carried out in steel structure decomposes into two plans. Realigned on housing building and extended angle on the place of young people, the fully glazed ground floor draws a net basement and puts the media library window. On the first floor, a volume in lightweight cantilever dressed in translucent polycarbonate (Dampalon) CAP as a whole, irisant day and to illuminate the night such a light box. The entry is now done by three large glass doors on pivot which perpendicular clearance bites on the pavement to indicate clearly the opening. The signage in the double meaning of reading reversed, complete the call. On the sides, especially in the English Court serving the administration, the historical fresco is carefully preserved and renovated.

Upgrading the town

"The project was stalled on the origin of 2,70 m frame constituent of the city," argued Jean-Baptiste Piétri, highlighting for example the design of the doors. Past the sas created between the new skin of glass and the former facade of its lighters opens the room of columns, rhythmic regular posts. All of the frame new flocked and capotée of aluminium meets the criteria of fire safety and any existing has been in compliance, particularly in terms of public home.

The Interior has undergone Recharacterization complete both the functional point of view than atmospheres. Home of both banks were repositioned to enable a more panoptic vision drawn custom in medium tinted in mass (Topan in Isoroy). Surfaces were earned in closing floor yesterday perçés skylights on the desks. A space was created above the former entrance to accommodate "the hour of the tale." An exhibition room took place on the ground floor of the adjacent building of housing. The General harmony has been fully reviewed in two dominant colors, red for circulation spaces, grey for the reading rooms. Each of them is renamed for the occasion of the name of an architect or a close to Le Corbusier, thus claiming its character: Pierre Jeanneret to the expos, Charlotte Perriand for adults on the ground floor room and Amédée Ozenfant, of course, for the children on the floor. Peter Behrens inherits the multimedia room equipped with twelve positions. Auguste Perret is more spoiled with the study room in front on the floor and extended by the cosy corner located in the loggia in advance on the street. 12 Linear metres velvet sofa comes to nest to provide a reading room, music or trigger unexpected and perfectly respected. "It is a project with limited means who plays on colours and some nice benefits," notes the architect.

Of a fair sobriety, pendant fixtures (Modular) tracks are smooth. Furniture following defended vigorously by Michèle Pastor involved in the choice of the shelves Swedish metal and glass cladding, Italian sofas, carpets for children... "We have also worked on the volumes, including on the implementation of the shelves to preserve transparency", note the conservative. In the end, the space has changed at all, winning in brightness and fluidity. "In the same way that economic development, an architectural achievement of quality allows to reflect on the city and in upgrading the image", defends Marc - Antoine Jamet which compares the work restructured to "a great cathedral filled small chapels for all obedience."