Multi-activity hall and cinema
The architectural project brings together a 174-seat cinema hall, an outdoor cinema, and a flexible multipurpose hall around a common lobby and bar area. This cultural and artistic center aims to be a friendly and warm space, conducive to gatherings, creativity, and discovery. The new space is integrated into the existing heritage and reconfigures the Gambetta block, along Avenue de la République, between the market square and the racetrack. The stone house, built in the early 20th century, has been completely renovated. Only the former contemporary primary school was demolished to make way for the future cinema and multipurpose space. A first volume, housing the lobby and cinema hall, is smoothly integrated among the existing volumes and blends in with the overall volume of the Gambetta block. This extension replicates the dimensions of the stone house with a double-pitched roof and an equivalent building depth, extending along the footprint of the former school to connect with the toy library, thus reconstituting the Gambetta block. The new building has a distinctly minimalist and modern character, clad in charred wood siding on the facade and roof. This architectural language echoes both the imagery of a black box, reminiscent of cinema through its characterful wood, and the extension of the media library with its dark hue. The use of charred wood is a time-honored Japanese technique known as Shou Sugi Ban, now widely used in the West. Charred wood possesses all the characteristics of regular wood, along with the added benefits of charcoal, such as protection against UV rays and salty air. It is a durable material that requires minimal maintenance. Contemporary in many respects, the use of charred wood proves to be a natural, ecological, and locally sourced process. The wood siding is completely opaque, especially along the cinema hall, but is punctured to allow light to enter the common lobby. With its simple and refined language, it highlights the uniqueness of the heritage building. Another building, lower and with a flat roof, houses two flexible multipurpose halls that can be used together. It is located to the northeast of the current interior courtyard, directly connected to the aforementioned volume. Particular attention has been paid to the positioning of these two halls to maximize the visibility of the existing house facade from the interior courtyard. In front of this building, a setup allows for outdoor film screenings in fine weather. It is a softer and more discreet architecture that accommodates the two multipurpose halls. This 4-meter-high volume with a green roof is constructed with concrete frame and golden aluminum joineries. A glass roof breaks the connection between these two volumes, creating a joint space between the buildings and providing welcome zenithal light to the deep multipurpose halls.
