french country house re-clad with polished mirrored surfaces

french country house re-clad with polished mirrored surfaces
photo © florian kleinefenn

a collaborative team comprising architecture studio bona-lemercier, artist xavier veilhan and set designer alexis bertrand has transformed a 1960s country house into a gallery designed to showcase contemporary artwork. located 30 kilometers east of paris, ‘le château de rentilly’ forms the second permanent venue for frac île-de-france – (the region’s contemporary art fund) – with the other location existing in the center of the french capital.

the existing building has been transformed into a gallery designed to showcase contemporary artwork
photo © florian kleinefenn

the building’s reflective façades not only add intrigue and distinction to a relatively plain structure, but also enhance the surrounding environment; preserving the layout’s strong geometry while highlighting the rolling green landscape. internal volumes have been cleared to make room for open plan gallery space, with the roof also reconfigured to allow exhibitions to take place on a large terrace that overlooks the picturesque landscape.

the building’s reflective façades add intrigue and distinction to a relatively plain structure
photo © florian kleinefenn

the cladding also significantly enhances the surrounding environment
photo © florian kleinefenn

open plan exhibition space is provided across each of the building’s various storeys
photo © florian kleinefenn

photo © florian kleinefenn

the amount of light entering the gallery can be controlled with retractable panels
photo © florian kleinefenn

internal volumes have been reconfigured to maximize floor space
photo © florian kleinefenn

‘le château de rentilly’  forms the second permanent venue for the region’s contemporary art fund
photo © florian kleinefenn