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Chelles Multimedia Library

For the diverse community of Marne-Chantereine, Atelier Novembre creates a public structure, that is a powerful statement from a urban, landscape and functional perspective.

Because it enters into a conversation with the current cultural centre, the multimedia library designed by Atelier Novembre acts as a powerful anchor to the cultural pole, at the crossroads between different urban fabrics.

It was designed to integrate the city and the surrounding landscape: linearity to the West and South, fragmentation to the East. The multimedia library is supported by existing structures: the cultural centre, but also the lines drawn by roads or trees.

There is a continuity between the multimedia library entry hall and that of the cultural centre. The two volumes are lined up, ordered together to enable functional connections between the two sites. The Cultural Centre’s Eastern facade, which can be seen from the multimedia library, has been renovated by Atelier Novembre to provide aesthetic consistency between the two buildings.

The pedestrian areas, planted with Japanese pagoda trees, Scots pines, oaks and beeches, serve as gates to the island and guide visitors to the doors of the cultural sites. The outside areas provide spaces for local residents to make their own, to rest and enjoy the linear gardens.

The multimedia library is made up of reading rooms, divided into two main poles and spread over two levels, and a 230 seat auditorium. These two entities can be accessed through the multimedia library hall. The “U” design provides double access: the reading areas open out either onto the city or the inner courtyard which is created by this shape. The “free platforms” design for the reading rooms creates great freedom to walk around the centre and help to distinguish the different spaces. These successions of spaces bring with them variations in lighting and openings, alternating window frames with large bay windows, lattices and skylights. An emphasis is given to natural light throughout the building.