SO – IL extends glass museum in france with undulating concrete rooftop

renovating an historic glass museum in meisenthal

New York-based SO – IL and Parisian studio FREAKS complete the Site Verrier cultural center in Meisenthal, France. The publicly funded project stands as the renovation and extension of an historic glass factory which dates back to the 18th century, hidden among the postcard landscapes of northern Vosges Natural Park.

Designed in collaboration with FREAKS freearchitects, PILA & LFA, the project hosts three independent institutions. The glass museum (Musée du Verre et du Cristal) stands as a living memory tracing the history of glass at the site. The CIAV (Centre International d’Art Verrier) introduces an international glass art center where traditional craftsmanship meets contemporary practices. The Cadhame (Halle Verrière) is a multidisciplinary cultural space hosting art installations, happenings and concerts.

The concrete intervention by SO – IL unifies the three programs to define a contemporary identity that celebrates its industrial heritage. See designboom’s previous coverage including construction images here.

images © Jean-Claude Kanny

the sculptural rooftop by so – il and freaks

The collaborative team from SO – IL (see more here) and FREAKS (see more here) sculpts the Site Verrier with an undulating poured-in-place concrete surface, recalling its history of glass production as it unites the buildings. Designed together with PILA & LFA, this surface functions as roof, ceiling, and wall, uniting the ground levels of the three institutions to frame a public plaza. Secondary programs are sensitively introduced above and beneath this surface, including offices, workshop areas, a cafe, and restaurant.

the ‘site verrier’ intervention

With its Site Verrier intervention, SO – IL reimagines and extends the functions of the existing buildings. The factory hall is opened up with a new entrance on a previously unused basement level. A 500-seat black box theater can be reconfigured with standing room for 700 or opened into a concert hall for 3,000. The new public space heightens civic awareness of the historical site while introducing a highly flexible venue for outdoor theater, concerts, and seasonal events.