Paul le Quernec: cultural centre Mulhouse

French architect Paul le Quernec completed a socio-cultural centre in the heart of a working-class neighbourhood in Mulhouse, in the East of France.

The new socio-cultural centre designed by Paul le Quernec is part of a larger development programme in a disadvantaged area in Mulhouse. The plot allocated to the cultural centre is tight, and requires a rigorous construction which should not infringe on the new urban structure formed by the elements which are yet to come: apartments, square, park, children’s play area, etc.
Paul le Quernec: cultural centre Mulhouse. Photo © 11h45
Paul le Quernec: cultural centre Mulhouse. Photo © 11h45
The building, with its expressive design, sets out to symbolize the neighbourhood’s extensive transformation. The objective is twofold: to express the dynamism of the socio-cultural space and its users; prevent the building from becoming a monolithic block stuck between apartment towers.
Paul le Quernec: cultural centre Mulhouse. Photo © 11h45
Paul le Quernec: cultural centre Mulhouse. Photo © 11h45
The ground floor is made up of two parts which can work together or separately. These are neatly and carefully aligned with one another and the edges of the plot, before twisting on the next floor. As they rise, they escape the influence of the plot and turn towards the park. This produces deformed volumes evoking an energy which can hardly be contained. The interior design is based on the same principles.
Paul le Quernec: cultural centre Mulhouse. Photo © 11h45
Paul le Quernec: cultural centre Mulhouse. Photo © 11h45
A small changing room, desk and box office have been added so the space can function as a community hall. The different entities in the building can operate simultaneously but separately. On the first floor, the general public can access a patio protected from outside eyes by a monumental grid, providing views of the park or the square without being seen. This means that the teaching kitchen or even meetings or training sessions can be moved outside in good weather.
Paul le Quernec: cultural centre Mulhouse. Photo © 11h45
Paul le Quernec: cultural centre Mulhouse. Photo © 11h45
Great attention has been devoted to helping visitors find their way around the building. Bays, windows and open sightlines provide points of reference both inside and outside the building. These openings also provide high-quality lighting throughout the building, yet another means of emphasizing the value of visitors and users.
Paul le Quernec: cultural centre Mulhouse. Photo © 11h45
Paul le Quernec: cultural centre Mulhouse. Photo © 11h45


Cultural centre, Mulhouse
Contractor
: City of Mulhouse, M2A
Project management: Paul le Quernec (architect), Fabrice Wianni & Benjamin Ringeisen (executors)
Surface area: 1, 250 sq. m
Cost: € 2.4 M before taxes
Completion: September 2013

 

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