serero architects: university of amiens auditorium and library

'the university of amiens auditorium and library' by serero architects in amiens, france
all images courtesy of serero architects

paris-based firm serero architects has won the design competition for the university of amiens'
new library and auditorium. located at the heart of the campus, the new building will serve
as a central place for social exchange.

the design takes advantage of the conditions of the site: the auditorium floor is integrated
into the natural slope of the landscape while long steps of stone are utilized to connect
the lower level of the garden with the reception area.

the library and the auditorium are two clear volumes in both form and facade treatment.
the former is clad with a 'smart skin' of vertical wooden louvres that open and close according
to the level of humidity in the air, much like the scales of a pine cone. the angles of the sun-shading
correspond with the orientation of the interior spaces to provide a gradual transition from protected
zones to open and transparent. other means of daylighting include sheds on the green roof of
the library which allow for light to filter through and a strip of curtain glass window that runs
along the upper wall of the auditorium that provide a clerestory effect.



west entrance



northwest view


fly-by



green roof sheds



axo diagrams



site plan



upper floor plan



lower floor plan



section b-b



section a-a



east elevation



west elevation



north elevation



louver details


solar diagram



project info:

client: rectorat de l'academie d'amiens
floor area: 1424 m2
design team: david serero, yoichi ozawa, ran she, fabrice zaini
engineers: BETOM ingenierie