Projects / Culture

Projects / Culture

Central Multimedia Library

Bayonne

Restructuring and extension
of the multimedia library

Project owner
Ville de Bayonne
Project manager
Deshoulières Jeanneau Architectes (Lead Architect), Sogno Architecture (Associate Architect, FF&E)
Project management team
AIA Ingénierie (structural engineering, electrical, thermal, fluids, and roadways), Forten (construction economics), Christophe Gautrand et associés (landscape architects), AIA Studio (environmental quality), CB design (signage), CSD et associés (fire prevention systems), SAS AIA Management de projets (scheduling, construction management, and coordination), Rainbow ergonomie (ergonomics)
Image credits
Air Studio
Boris Sensamat / Côté Sud Photo
Location
Bayonne (64), France
Programme
Restructuring and extension of the multimedia library
Surface area
3.861 m2
Cost of the works
8,2 M€ pre-tax
Status
Construction
Schedule
2018 - in progress
Label
HQE

Located in front of Saint Mary’s Cathedral in the heart of the protected sector, the project seeks to fully reimagine the workings of this multimedia library installed in the former bishop’s residence. The small spaces in relation to the increasing number of users and works, as well as the facility’s low level of visibility, despite its very central location, represented some of the reasons that led the City of Bayonne to undertake this project.

Our project, which won the competition held in 2018, intermingles urban and architectural scales. It asserts the multimedia library’s urban presence by adding vertical height to the building and by creating a square that also showcases the cathedral. A metal façade in traditional Basque tones serves as a filter that envelops the building and articulates the various gables. The main entrance is given greater emphasis by bringing it down to street level, which involved a subtle interpretation of the topography. A spacious, luminous, double-height lobby welcomes users. The library spaces are arranged from those for youth to those for adults, all set against a rich, Basque décor.

 


Source gallica.bnf.fr / BnF

History

Located within the old city walls built by Vauban in the seventeenth century, the multimedia library contains even older vestiges, including a historically listed Gallo-Roman wall. 

Construction

Given this exceptional historical environment, the worksite involved an archaeological dig, the result of which entailed the redesigning of certain aspects of the project.

© Christophe Gautrand & Associés

Section of the Square Chanoine Dubarat

The new spaces are arranged around a broadly expanded patio that lets light into all parts of the ground floor. 

Similar projects