S3_Experimental Halls for the New Clermont Bauhaus_Avenue de la République

The project, ideally located across from Avenue de la République, provides an ideal setting for developing an experimental hall. Its proximity to the city’s mobility services and full openness to the entire city make it a prime spot for exchange. Taking the program into account, I chose a lower, more expansive building to preserve the quality of life for surrounding residences.

My intent was to create a strong connection with the street, establishing a direct link to the environment to highlight the artisanal activities within the hall.

Regarding the program, the building is segmented into two distinct façade sections. The lower section houses heavy-duty workspaces, while the upper section includes administration, housing, and workshops. The lower section centers around an exterior forecourt with large folding doors to enclose and open up spaces. This forecourt creates a connection between the indoor hall, outdoor area, and reception.

Upstairs, an exterior walkway also establishes a direct connection, overlooking the hall and allowing separation between two distinct blocks, with apartments on the west and administrative spaces on the east. Both sides are served by stairs and elevators, connected by a large outdoor terrace that can serve as a relaxation area and art exhibition space.

To create a harmonious ambiance, the upper-level sheds play a crucial role by bringing significant natural light and giving the impression of a large space. The deliberate choice of prefabricated concrete walls on the ground floor evokes the robustness of the street, while wood cladding on the upper level creates a lighter atmosphere.

The interior hall on the ground floor is fully traversable, allowing easy entry and exit for vehicles, providing great depth and excellent natural lighting. Lighting fixtures are installed along the hall to facilitate night work, in alignment with the activities conducted.

The ground floor structure consists of a prefabricated concrete base, lattice beams supporting the upper hall, and box trusses above the outdoor hall. The structure creates alcoves along the hall, delineating workspaces. On the upper level, timber-framed walls and a post-and-beam structure support the sheds.

The circulation within the project is defined by several spaces, including an outdoor forecourt for accessing the experimental hall, two forecourts within the hall for parking and deliveries, and a large terrace on the upper level that spans the building, offering 360-degree visibility.