L’Atelier – Maison des Projets
To involve its citizens in the process of re-thinking urban transition, the municipality of Grand-Saconnex (Geneva, CH) decided to set up an exhibition and mediation space. The project displays two setups: the first one an horizontal setup shows the model of the city, the second one a vertical setup is used to exhibit the ongoing architectural proposals. Conceptually the project is based on the following statement: it is from the past that we can built the future. In this project as often in architecture styles history a dialogue occurs between the scale of the building and the scale of the furniture.
Built and drawn as a building roof the plinth of the model is made from a old wooden frame covered by a galvanized sheet metal. The idea of building the future based on the past is further carried by the woodworking from existing beams that still shows its past uses. Re-crafted sides alternate with the original others. The construction system used for operates in extrusion rather than addition in order to stress the idea of an economy of materials. It can be shown in the way the parts are assembled, following the traditional mortise and tenon joint system - where two crafted shapes of wood connect and lock.
