dominique perrault dresses albi grand theatre with copper screen

dominique perrault dresses albi grand theatre with copper screen
photo © georges fessy / DPA / adagp
all images courtesy of dominique perrault architecture

the ‘albi grand theatre’ has been realized following a winning competition proposal in 2009 by dominique perrault architecture. located in the historic center of a southern french city, the stable rectilinear building is juxtaposed by a dynamic and light weight copper mesh which wraps all four elevations, while lifting toward the two public plazas to create its main entrances. this metal rain screen visually dresses the structure and protects it from environmental forces.

the facility is located on the outskirts of the albi historic center
photo © vincent boutin / DPA / adagp

careful attention was given to the urban implications of the facility’s addition to the historic city fabric. a pedestrian corridor bounds the north side of the site, and accesses various cultural institutions including museums, a park, and a prominent church. the rectilinear building volume is oriented in regard to its main adjacent road, général de gaulle avenue. this move creates two triangular outdoor spaces facing the ‘cultural alley’ and the grand theater’s main entrances. rooftop terraces allow for views of the city context.

the curving copper screen contrasts and masks the rectilinear building volume
photo © georges fessy / DPA / adagp

photos © georges fessy / DPA / adagp

the building’s program attempts to be simple and compact, and prioritizes the 250 seat grand theatre and adjacent public outdoor spaces. the facility also includes a movie complex of 8 movie cinemas and an underground parking garage.

red panels cover parts of the building’s façade
photo © georges fessy / DPA / adagp

the entry hall contains multiple curving staircases accessing upper levels of the theatre
photo © georges fessy / DPA / adagp

the copper screen and yellow tinted glass produces a colorful interior environment
photos © georges fessy / DPA / adagp

the grand theatre space contains 250 seats
photo © vincent boutin / DPA / adagp

a dynamic substructure infills the space between the building envelope and rain screen
photos © georges fessy / DPA / adagp

at night, the building glows through the metal mesh to reveal its rectilinear form
photo © georges fessy / DPA / adagp

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project info:

location: place de l’amitié entre les peuples, 81000, albi, france
client: albi town council
architect: dominique perrault architecture
engineering: VP GREEN (structural), ETCO (mechanical), RPO (economist), changement à vue (scenograph), jean-paul lamoureux (acoustics)
site area: 34,000 sqm
built area: grand theatre 10,200 sqm (GFA), cinemas 7,800 sqm (GFA) / independent underground parking 12,800 sqm (SHON)
beginning of conceptual design: june 2009
construction: june 2011 – february 2014
photography: georges fessy, vincent boutin