Les Sables-d'Olonne

The cultural center building is part of an existing and completely revitalized public space in Les Sables-d'Olonne. We designed the project as a landmark building, visually integrated into its surroundings while standing out thanks to its contemporary lines and lively interior. The compact, unified building stands out slightly from the other buildings and urban developments in the neighborhood, creating a smooth and harmonious transition between the historic center, the port, the main beach, and the residential neighborhoods. The cultural center project draws its strength and power from its obviousness and simplicity, combined with a particular sensitivity, which will give it its role as a messenger of knowledge, art, and popular culture. It is part of the idea of transforming the Cours Louis Guédon into a green promenade. In the midst of this landscaped setting, the white silhouette of its facades, made of sprayed concrete with a whitewashed coating, contrasts with its surroundings and attracts visitors.

The architectural style is characterized by a moderate power that is in keeping with the nature of the program. Its structural unity, simplicity, and strength express the public nature of the facility without any emphasis on its surroundings. The building resembles a mineral monolith carved from the mass, like large sailcloth sails, where light glides elegantly. Its clarity and lime-finished materiality are reminiscent of the facades of traditional buildings in the Vendée region. The lower part, which is mainly glazed, forms a base that is fully connected to its context thanks to its transparency.

The upper part is based on a principle of simple, sculpted volumes, whose alternating hollows and voids allow light and views of the project's urban context to be brought back. In the middle of the large gaps created, parts of the garden can be glimpsed. In this project, the essential elements are transparency and the quality of natural light. The light changes throughout the day, animating the facades thanks to the orchestration of offset volumes. The rhythm of the recesses has been studied to make the most of exposure to the sun and wind. The volumes on the south side act as a canopy and prevent the interior of the windows from overheating. The other windows are mostly in recesses and use external sun protection. There are multiple air and light intakes with different exposures, which flood the heart of the project.