‘gymnsaium + town hall esplanade’ by LAN architecture, chelles, franceimage © julien lanooall images courtesy of LAN architecture

 

 

the historic urban center of chelles, france has been articulated and streamlined with a ‘gymnasium + town hall esplanade’ completed by french firm LAN architecture. addressing existing issues, the project is sited amidst structures dedicated to the church, state, culture, education and sports, comprising and concentrating all components within a limited space. the concept of a historic agora is referenced, strategically altering the public realm and its perception. the gymnasium’s rectilinear footprint parallels the high school and town hall facade,leaving an experiential journey between the park and church. a piazza and pedestrian street are defined by neighboring buildings.

 

reflective glass facades create a kaleidoscope effect with images of the adjacent structures. a double-layer system of first glass which mirrors theoutdoor environment and lets in daylight, while the second, a copper metal skin, tints the reflected scenery. during the day, the building recedes due to the applied images and at night becomes illuminated with the activity occurring inside. 

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 2within the context of historical buildingsimage © julien lanoo

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 3exteriorimage © julien lanoo

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 4reflective elevationimages © julien lanoo

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 5side elevation reflects encompassing contextimage © julien lanoo

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 6entranceimage © julien lanoo

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 7facade shadesimage © julien lanoo

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 8gymimage © julien lanoo

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 9gymimage © julien lanoo

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 10gymimage © julien lanoo

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 11gymimage © julien lanoo

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 12corridor and stairway to upper levelimage © julien lanoo

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 13dance roomimage © julien lanoo

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 14reflection of gym belowimage © julien lanoo

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 15view from dance roomimage © julien lanoo

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 16gymnasium at nightimage © julien lanoo

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 17gymnasium and esplanade at nightimage © julien lanoo

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 18site plan

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 19floor plan / level 0

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 20floor plan / level 1

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 21section

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 22section

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 23elevation

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 24elevation

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 25axonometric

 

 

LAN architecture: gymnasium + town hall esplanade in chelles - 26axonometric

 

 

project info:

 

 

project: gymnasium and redesign of the town hall squarelocation: place de l’hôtel de ville, chelles (77), francetimetable: 2007-2011competition: january 2008delivery: january 2012project manager: chelles town councilbudget: 3.85m EUR excl. vatproject area: 2200 m²team: LAN architecture (architects), betem (contractor), isabelle hurpy (heq engineering consultant)