Dominique Coulon et associés, Architectes designed a multicultural centre in Isbergues, in the region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais in France, a building that mediates the transition from city to nature.
Dominique Coulon et associés, Architectes designed a new multicultural centre in Isbergues, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France, in an area on the border between the city and an inter-municipal park which mediates between the city and nature.
The distinguishing element of the construction is the façade covered with stainless steel panels made locally with a variety of different finishes: satin, mirror-polish and matt.
As a result of this architectural choice, the sun’s rays are reflected in different ways, creating a dynamic chromatic effect which varies during the course of the day and at different times of year. The building sometimes blends into the sky and at other times is very brightly lit.
Despite its apparent complexity on the outside, the internal layout of the multicultural centre is very clear: a longitudinal axis crossing right through the volume and connecting the city with the park and vice versa. Functions are arranged along either side of this axis, with a performance hall on one side and a mediateque on the other. Visitors can find their way around the two areas easily thanks to the building’s dynamic volumetric organisation, different finishes and internal lighting.
(Agnese Bifulco)
Design: Dominique Coulon et associés, Architectes
Location: Isbergues, France
Images courtesy of Dominique Coulon et associés, Architectes, ph.Guillaume Wittmann, ph.David Romero-Uzeda
www.coulon-architecte.fr
