Béthune

The Cité de la Musique et de la Danse project in Béthune is part of a broader redevelopment project for the former Pepito industrial site. One of our primary goals was to design a building that would serve as a landmark, but also bring together and connect the various elements of the site, including the residential buildings on Rue de Lille, the new urban park, the center of the block, and Rue de l'Université to the south of the project. Given its proximity to its surroundings, the project was naturally located on the northern boundary to create a larger public space. The building follows the flow of the city and does not obstruct it in any way. The overall volume is rectangular, and it adapts to its surroundings through alignment, excavation, and deformation.

On Rue de Lille, the façade is aligned with the height of neighboring buildings to respect the context of the site. Set back, the curve of the dance studios stands out and interacts with its surroundings. On the park side, the concave façades resonate with the park and its lush landscape. The volume is divided into three curves that give rhythm and become a veritable backdrop. Openings are made in the facade, inspired by the musical notes of a score. At night, they make the building sparkle and create a special atmosphere. The opaque wall of the auditorium allows films to be shown in the evenings. Finally, to the south of the project, the volume operates the same reduction in scale with a lower building that serves as a link. At the rear, the curve of the façade houses the auditorium. In order to energize and anchor the building, we considered the possibility of opening the stage onto the park. Thus, a double acoustic wall allows the stage to be turned towards the outside as needed. Mirroring the auditorium, an outdoor seating area is provided.

From an architectural point of view, this relationship between the park and the building led us to consider a very compact building in terms of circulation and relationships. We wanted the excitement of the program not to be lost in the nooks and crannies, but rather to bring the entire architecture to life. In order to connect with its context, the ground floor interacts directly with its environment thanks to its transparency, which illuminates the forecourt. The site itself has significant landscape qualities that needed to be revealed and highlighted. The design of the new park therefore seems obvious. This opening and breathing space in the city, particularly along Rue de Lille, allows for the construction of a major facility and provides architectural continuity.