New life to a space. Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes
13/06/2023.
[Cossé-le-Vivien] France
Metalocus, ELENA DE LA FUENTE
Metalocus, ELENA DE LA FUENTE
Lemoal Lemoal Architectes completed the renovation of an old municipal technical center into a new social and cultural center. The project provides cultural services to the inhabitants of the small municipality and houses different spaces where creativity and teaching can be activated. The center is located in Cossé-le-Vivien, a commune in the Mayenne department in northwestern France.
The building located in the center of the town follows the continuity of the modest architecture of the adjoining buildings. The corrugated sheet that surrounds the center allows the inscription of the project in the architectural context that surrounds it.
The building located in the center of the town follows the continuity of the modest architecture of the adjoining buildings. The corrugated sheet that surrounds the center allows the inscription of the project in the architectural context that surrounds it.
Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes. Photograph by Erle Marec.
Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes. Photograph by Erle Marec.
Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes. Photograph by Erle Marec.
Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes. Photograph by Erle Marec.
Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes. Photograph by Erle Marec.
Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes. Photograph by Erle Marec.
Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes. Photograph by Erle Marec.
Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes. Photograph by Erle Marec.
Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes. Photograph by Erle Marec.
Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes. Photograph by Erle Marec.
Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes. Photograph by Erle Marec.
Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes. Photograph by Erle Marec.
Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes. Photograph by Erle Marec.
Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes. Photograph by Erle Marec.
Floor plans. Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes.
Axonometry. Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes.
Axonometry. Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes.
Lemoal Lemoal Architectes preserves structural and decorative elements that are in good condition. Elements such as the interior concrete partitions or the chandeliers are maintained. The centre is also projected in such a way that it adapts to the space where it is located, blending in with its surroundings.
The centre has different spaces to encourage social life and municipal music associations. The rooms complement each other, and we can find meeting areas, multimedia or DIY workshops.
Working with raw materials such as local chestnut, concrete and corrugated iron, they manage to highlight the usability and quality of the centre's spaces.
The centre has different spaces to encourage social life and municipal music associations. The rooms complement each other, and we can find meeting areas, multimedia or DIY workshops.
Working with raw materials such as local chestnut, concrete and corrugated iron, they manage to highlight the usability and quality of the centre's spaces.
Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes. Photograph by Erle Marec.
Project description by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes
The project arose from the desire of the Cossé-le-Vivien town hall to give a second life to an old municipal technical center by creating a space for social and cultural life for its inhabitants. It houses the Famille Rurale association, a music school and multipurpose spaces.
Located in the center of the town, the social and cultural center is part of the continuity of double-sided buildings that bear witness to an architecture that is modest in its materialities. Its adjoining buildings are clad in slate, striped single-layer plaster and sheet metal.
The first intention was to keep the structural elements in good condition. The interior concrete block partitions as well as the frame have been preserved. Thus, the layout of the project spaces is adapted, to a large extent, to the existing spaces.
Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes. Photograph by Erle Marec.
Then, the new corrugated sheet metal envelope allows a humble inscription of the project in its context. Due to its worn appearance, the corrugated iron recalls the past occupations of this place. The proportions of the openings are the traces of the old sectional doors of the technical center. Particular attention has been paid to the frames and exterior lighting to underline, on the contrary, the potential for a warm welcome from the public.
Inside, repurposed chandeliers from a private mansion in Paris highlight raw materials like solid chestnut, cotton, and concrete.
Our proposal questions the second life of ordinary heritage in rural areas with the strong transformation of an old municipal services workshop into spaces to welcome social life and the municipality's musical associations.
Through a fine work of raw material (local chestnut), concrete and corrugated iron, we wanted to highlight the comfort of use and the quality of the spaces created.
Social and cultural center in Cossé-le-Vivien by Lemoal Lemoal Architectes. Photograph by Erle Marec.
A painstaking work in the design of bespoke furniture has made it possible to optimize the spatial quality of the complex, guaranteeing its unique and welcoming character.
The complex is lit by reused 19th century chandeliers from the selective demolition of the Hotel d'Iéna in Paris.
The duality between the industrial roughness of the envelope and the preciousness of the wood and the chandeliers allows for the creation of a unique and warm space. A setting for social and cultural activities.
More information
Architects
Area
290 m².
Dates
Completion of the project.- March 2023.
Location
Place Tussenhaussen, 53230 Cossé le Vivien - Mayenne, France.
Manufacturers
Demolitions and Structural Works.- MJCD.
Structures and roofs.- Luttelier.
Exterior carpentry.- AD2M.
Interior carpentry.- Monnier.
Plastering, Insulation.- Meignan.
Floors and painting.- Gerault.
Tiles and earthenware.- Gerault.
Electricity and air conditioning.- Saget.
Structures and roofs.- Luttelier.
Exterior carpentry.- AD2M.
Interior carpentry.- Monnier.
Plastering, Insulation.- Meignan.
Floors and painting.- Gerault.
Tiles and earthenware.- Gerault.
Electricity and air conditioning.- Saget.
Photography
Erle Marec.
Christophe Lemoal, Jesse Lemoal. Lemoal Lemoal
Lemoal Lemoal is an architecture agency founded in 2010 by brothers Christophe and Jesse Lemoal. Based in Paris, it expanded in 2018 by moving to Rennes and welcoming a new partner, Sonia Sifflet, landscape architect. The agency now has a dozen employees with varied profiles. She works in the fields of architecture, on cultural, sporting, social and tertiary equipment projects, but also in scenography and design, by fitting out restaurants and designing furniture.
Portrait
The Lemoal define themselves through their unique journey. Steiner Waldorf, they follow a course in applied arts and continue their studies at ENSA Bretagne. Christophe then trained in the Studio Odile Decq, urban planner. Following Jesse's diploma, they founded their agency in Paris.
Approach
The agency defends, in its work, its vision of a so-called "functionalist" architecture. It rigorously advocates the formal and programmatic efficiency of its projects, devising proposals adapted to their uses and functions. It thus makes frugality an issue of its architectural quality.
She enriches her design process by carrying out fine work on detail and finishing. The architects strive to work with noble and raw materials to reveal, in contrast to the minimalism of the projects, the assets of the space.
The combination of these two principles, functionalism on the one hand, richness of the material and its assembly details on the other hand, illustrates the demanding and generous architectural design of the agency. This ensures that a strong and consistent guideline is maintained in its projects.
Portrait
The Lemoal define themselves through their unique journey. Steiner Waldorf, they follow a course in applied arts and continue their studies at ENSA Bretagne. Christophe then trained in the Studio Odile Decq, urban planner. Following Jesse's diploma, they founded their agency in Paris.
Approach
The agency defends, in its work, its vision of a so-called "functionalist" architecture. It rigorously advocates the formal and programmatic efficiency of its projects, devising proposals adapted to their uses and functions. It thus makes frugality an issue of its architectural quality.
She enriches her design process by carrying out fine work on detail and finishing. The architects strive to work with noble and raw materials to reveal, in contrast to the minimalism of the projects, the assets of the space.
The combination of these two principles, functionalism on the one hand, richness of the material and its assembly details on the other hand, illustrates the demanding and generous architectural design of the agency. This ensures that a strong and consistent guideline is maintained in its projects.
