Très

An luminous Architecture in the heArt of the vineyArds

During this programme presentation day for the future Tresses multi-purpose hall , a suburban village east of Bordeaux , we walked around the superb Parc Marès farm. The first good surprise comes from the landscapeitself, without buildings, but for the wine storehouse and the mansion which could be converted into a museum.The relief is slightly rolling, with magnificent secular trees, open fields and a watercourse suitable for growing cress. This is located between the Dordogne and Garonne ri- vers, a land on the hillsides of which thrives an ances- tral vine, well drained and ideally exposed to the weather. We are deeply enthusiastic about designing and building a cultural building in such a place, oozing serenity, well- being and harmony with nature. Not far away, Bordeaux, the regional capital , casts a shining light, having expe- rienced unprecedented urban, economic and cultural de- velopment over the years. Nearby Tresses, in turn, wants to be luminous and autonomous, and has ambitions for a new cultural facility. We are also fond of light, which plays a structuring role in all our designs: therefore, this project shall be radiant, much like a modern luminary illuminating this admirable landscape…

on top of A hill

Back at the studio, two main lines of work are already emerging: on the one hand, the certainty of positioning the work at the top of the hill to make it a landmark in the landscape. On the other hand, and in connection with this first intention, the need to realize this future building in a luminous and transparent volume in order to enjoy the view from within.

Let us begin to explain our first direction, the one that de- fines orientation and implantation. If the church steeples and water towers already give a vertical rhythm to this relief, we feel it is important to bring out another significant landmark. These punctuations, all different and singular, order and identify the places. Emblematic architecture is a strong means of representation for cities, some of which have a panel of ‘flagship’, identifiable and iconic buildings. If the public building fulfils this symbolic role, its architec- ture must also respond to concrete needs: to comfortably organise events and ensure the cultural development of the inhabitants. The location at the top of the hillside was dictated by our physical experience of the place, passing through the avenue of plane trees, in the axis of the chai and the mansion. These two buildings are in fact part of our «perimeter» of reflection, and access to the room must take into account their distribution.

The question of orientation arises at the same time as the question of location. How can we combine access from the town centre to the east with a more favourable orien- tation to the west, as the activities are mainly held at the end of the day and in the evening? Where to enter? The world of the vine and its methods of cultivation have come back to us: let us therefore plant this project according to the principle of alignment in furrows in the direction of the hillside, from east to west. The views will be drained into the landscape, like the air and water at the foot of the vines. The construction process will have strong east- west oriented lines, with open gables at both ends, i.e. the implementation of a double orientation.

Bright, trAnspArent And penetrAting

The building will clearly state its purpose: at first glance, it should be perceived and assimilated into culture. The spirit of enlightenment, knowledge and education is trans- lated and formalised here in a modern way. This building can be a beating heart, from which beneficial waves ema- nate, and its light will oscillate according to events. The translucent «lines» of the building take the form of a lu- minous line at night, glittering in the sun during the day, and ghostly in the winter fog. This line is intended to be an accent, a punctuation mark on the top of the hill – it desi- gnates that increase in intensity that is specific to cultural actions. The environment will allow for large openings to the outside to give access to natural light. These will be favoured in particular for the entertainment and activity areas and for the reception hall. The warming area and dressing rooms will also benefit from openings allowing access to natural light. Whether in terms of access to natural light or the use of artificial lighting, each space requires an adapted level. Particular attention is paid to the artificial lighting of the main hall and the entertainment room. This will allow for the creation of various atmos- pheres (gradation) to adapt to the type of show, in addition to the planned stage illumination.

«from braids To very, To Trans, To TranslucenT, To TransparenT… The consisTency is There!»

The cross-sectional organisation induced by a structure in «grooves» oriented east-west leads us to open up the fa- çades. From the interior, one can admire the town centre to the east and the hills under a sunset to the west. The functionalities can be organised in a row. The backstage area, the stage, the auditorium and the small auditorium follow one another in a single volume. Removable par- titions and curtains separate or link these spaces. The central volume has been designed as an immense, mul- ti-purpose space of 735 m2, capable of accommodating all types of shows and events (schools, alumni balls, fes- tive banquets, live shows, etc.). Free of any obstacles over a height of 6 metres, the first four rows of bleachers are enclosed in a pit. The others are retractable, movable and storable in a dedicated space. Thus the stage can be extended onto the entrance esplanade to the east and onto the meadow to the west: this arrangement is made possible by the use of two large retractable acoustic parti- tions. A dance performance can be enjoyed at sunset with the light breeze of a summer evening…

This arrangement offers a multitude of scenographic com- binations. The viewer’s gaze passes right through this lu- minous volume with the vineyard nearby. The materials chosen, transparent polycarbonate and glass, extend this trans, a prefix that expresses the idea of going from here to there, of being beyond: in this way, the interior light dif- fuses through the material. From Braids to very, to trans, to translucent, to transparent… the consistency is there!

« The spiriT of The enlighTenmenT, of knowledge and educaTion musT be TranslaTed and formalised in an obvious way, in all moderniTy.»