LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles

‘gymnsaium + town hall esplanade’ by LAN architecture, chelles, franceimage © julien lanooall images courtesy of LAN architecture

the historic urban center of chelles, france has been articulated and streamlined with a ‘gymnasium + town hall esplanade’ completed by french firm LAN architecture. addressing existing issues, the project is sited amidst structures dedicated to the church, state, culture, education and sports, comprising and concentrating all components within a limited space. the concept of a historic agora is referenced, strategically altering the public realm and its perception. the gymnasium’s rectilinear footprint parallels the high school and town hall facade,leaving an experiential journey between the park and church. a piazza and pedestrian street are defined by neighboring buildings.

reflective glass facades create a kaleidoscope effect with images of the adjacent structures. a double-layer system of first glass which mirrors theoutdoor environment and lets in daylight, while the second, a copper metal skin, tints the reflected scenery. during the day, the building recedes due to the applied images and at night becomes illuminated with the activity occurring inside. 

within the context of historical buildingsimage © julien lanoo

exteriorimage © julien lanoo

reflective elevationimages © julien lanoo

side elevation reflects encompassing contextimage © julien lanoo

entranceimage © julien lanoo

facade shadesimage © julien lanoo

gymimage © julien lanoo

gymimage © julien lanoo

gymimage © julien lanoo

gymimage © julien lanoo

corridor and stairway to upper levelimage © julien lanoo

dance roomimage © julien lanoo

reflection of gym belowimage © julien lanoo

view from dance roomimage © julien lanoo

gymnasium at nightimage © julien lanoo

gymnasium and esplanade at nightimage © julien lanoo

site plan

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

section

section

elevation

elevation

axonometric

axonometric

project info:

project: gymnasium and redesign of the town hall squarelocation: place de l’hôtel de ville, chelles (77), francetimetable: 2007-2011competition: january 2008delivery: january 2012project manager: chelles town councilbudget: 3.85m EUR excl. vatproject area: 2200 m²team: LAN architecture (architects), betem (contractor), isabelle hurpy (heq engineering consultant)