Hugues Fontenas Architectes Archaeology conservation and research centre in Poitiers

client

DRAC Poitou-Charentes

architect

Hugues Fontenas

assistant architects

Nolwenn Caillard, Laure Lienard

engineering

TEC.CO (structure), Facéa (fluid mechanics and cost surveyor).

mechanical and cost surveyor

FACÉA

floor area

1 551 m²

cost

2 338 000,00 € HT

calendar

2011 – 2015

program

Restructuring of and extension to an existing building ; conservation facilities with workshops and warehouses ; administrative offices ; research centre with document and materials library, work room, classroom.

architectural design

To adapt this former hospital building from the 1950’s to a centre for archaeological studies, it was necessary to increase the surface area and rethink the circulation spaces for a very long narrow tight urban site.
A small extension onto an interior courtyard allowed for wide rectilinear circulation space with naturally lighting on each level. This limited intervention profoundly transforms the use and comprehension of the building. New window frames and and the shade of wall plaster bring more natural light into a very densely built environment.
A new envelope of corrugated steel, serving as both a thermal regulator and an urban sign, unite the main wing of the building with its storage-room extension.

photographs

George Dupin

Exceeding expectations
Develop each project following a re-evaluation of both programme and anticipated results. Reply beyond the expectations of the programme. The principal architectural objective is to be found in the research of added, unexpected qualities.

Evolving surfaces
Architecture to be also conceived as terrains to be occupied in the future by still uncertain or improbable uses. Architecture as “reverse ruins” in an upturned archaeology that facilitates or suggests inevitable transformations. Therefore, when it might be tempting to be just spectacular, never hesitate to be simple and complex.

Comforts
Pay particular attention to all the complexity factors – functional, technical, regulatory, economic, aesthetic – and use them as a basis for future comforts. Distinguish structures, enclosures or equipment to consider temporal aspects of the project in a prospect of reversibility and diversity of uses.

Artificiality
Advocate and assert the profound artificiality, the non-naturalness of architecture. Conceive architecture in a grey ecology without naivety and in creative phase with the contradictions of our environment.

Aspirations
Associate production and research in resonance with an analysis of actual facts. Remain independent in thought to stimulate, guide and increase the pertinence of a project. Propose reality as an aspiration to do differently.

Founded in 2006, the office has developed its activity mainly in the field of cultural facilities with a strong interest and expertise in programmes related to the exhibition and preservation of all types of collections, from archaeology to contemporary art. Hugues Fontenas also teaches and conducts research on themes strongly connected to work in the office.