kengo kuma bresancon art center mimics landscape tectonics

kengo kuma ‘bresancon art center and music city’ mimics landscape tectonicsall images courtesy of kengo kuma and associates 

on the banks of the doubs river in eastern france, kengo kuma has designed ‘besançon art center and music city’ as an integral link among dissonant styles of the natural and built context. known for seiji ozawa being awarded the grand prix of the besançon orchestra conductors international competition in 1959, besancon has a rich cultural history. at the edge of the city, the center connects the 1930s warehouse and 17th century vauban citadel, roof becomes landscape rather than object. the undulating form admits a generous amount of natural light through a system of glazed tiles that mimic the dappled awnings of trees. the architectural form draws from the composition of light created in the meandering watery skin of the river. the building is clad with a tiled timber skin that reveals a subtle underlayer of glazing. the translation is at once a subtle abstraction and faithful metaphor of the intensely creative hub nestled within the greenery of the riverbank.

the texture and form of the art center mimic the ripples of the adjacent river

the roof becomes a fifth facade, seen from the hills beyond

tall thin columns support the roof, like trees under a forest canopy

dappled light filters through the roof and reflects off the building creating textured shadows

the mosaic-like facade allows light to filter through

inside the art center

project info:

architect: kengo kuma & associates

project name: besançon art center and cité de la musique

project location: besançon, france

date of completion: december 2012

program: auditorium, a contemporary art museum (FRAC – contemporary art regional funds) and a conservatory

area: 10,000 m2