GÂTEAU DE MARIAGE

The building hosts a municipal archive as well as an ambulance garage. The greatest challenge was to combine these two very different utilizations in one building. From the beginning on our approach was to give the building a uniform appearance. Our intention was not only to unify the two uses visually but also to do it in a way that they could benefit from each other. Instantly, it was clear to us, that the archive would represent the core of the building and the other spaces would be arranged around it. In this way the “treasure house” could be well protected, not only for security reasons but also with regards to possible extreme climate conditions. For optimal and efficient circulation in the building, we decided to stack the archive spaces vertically. Visual connections to the core were introduced from every floor via an atrium space. Another main design principle, which shaped the building and especially the interior walls and facade elaboration, was the idea of condensing the walls towards the core. The farther you get from the core the more transparent and welcoming the walls were designed. Which led to a very friendly and welcoming open arch-structure on the exterior facade. Consequently, the project has a very tranquil eminent, almost monumental, appearance.