renzo piano: rehabilitation of the ronchamp site

'rehabilitation of ronchamp site' by renzo piano, ronchamp, france
the nunnery
image © michel denancé


italian architect renzo piano and french landscape architect michel corajoud have collaborated to complete the
'rehabilitation of the ronchamp site', a masterplan positioned adjacent to le corbusier's notre dame du haut chapel
in ronchamp, france. a gatehouse and convent for a small community of international poor clares are immersed
into the hills surrounding the monumental landmark, initially constructed in 1955. the intervention is discretely
integrated to maintain the serenity and sacredness of the grounds as it was originally conceived.



view of the sewing room
image © michel denancé


cut into the sloping terrain, the gatehouse serves as a replacement structure for the reception of visitors to the site,
providing facilities for a ticket office, gift shop, meeting room and administrative spaces. a continuous and exposed
glass facade opens to the arrival and parking area. the convent is comprised of individual units which accommodate
daily activities for each of the chapel's dozen resident sisters. the separate concrete cubes are positioned in clusters
on the west side of the complex providing outward views to the valley bellow. a personal winter garden dedicated
to contemplation mediates the residential quarters and exterior environment. the monastery includes an oratory for
religious pilgrims and a peaceful lodge for transient visitors to rest. a simple material palette of concrete, zinc and wood
are used throughout the building's edifice and interior.



cell, view through the winter garden
image © michel denancé


the mature landscape of the encompassing bourlemont hill has been strategically treated and revived, replanting only as
necessary and prudently introducing sustainable development practices to reduce energy consumption. preservation of the
existing vegetation and forestation generates a sense of unity and remoteness to the design.



cell, internal view with its winter garden
image © michel denancé



parloir
image © michel denancé



sewing room
image © michel denancé



break room with its patio
image © michel denancé



common room
image © michel denancé



oratory
image © michel denancé



view through the lodge’s refectory
image © michel denancé



sister brigitte de singly and renzo piano visiting the site
image © michel denancé



paul vincent and the sisters visiting the site
image  © renzo piano building workshop



sketch, site plan
image © renzo piano building workshop



site plan
image © renzo piano building workshop



oratory, plan
image © renzo piano building workshop



cell, plan
image © renzo piano building workshop



cell, elevation
image © renzo piano building workshop



oratory, elevation
image © renzo piano building workshop



model, plan
image © renzo piano building workshop



cell, renzo piano’s sketch
image  © renzo piano building workshop



the landscape, renzo piano’s sketch
image © renzo piano building workshop



plan, renzo piano’s sketch
image © renzo piano building workshop



oratory, renzo piano’s sketch
image © renzo piano building workshop


project info:


beginning of the project: 2006
client: association œuvre notre-dame du haut + poor clares (association sainte colette)
landscape: atelier corajoud
consultants: sletec ingénierie, m. harlé, c.guinaudeau, p.gillmann, nunc/l.piccon
monastery area: 1700 m²
gatehouse area: 450 m²
roofed area: 1386 m² (convent : 263 m² ; poor clares’ living area : 296 m² ; workshops : 120 m² ;
oratory : 260 m² ; guest quarters: 443 m²)
all these areas are fragmented into several small volumes
budget: 9.000.000 € including landscaping and site rehabilitation
program: design of a convent with its related functions; demolition of the existing gatehouse and
construction of a new one; demolition of the existing parking lot to be replaced by a smaller, planted one;
landscaping and overall rehabilitation of the site.

the convent:
living spaces: 12 cells and spaces for common living (1 common room; 1 refectory with annexed kitchen;
2 cells for the disabled; 1 infirmary)
guest quarter: a nondenominational space for hosting visitors made up of 8 cells + 1 cell for disabled;
1 dining room; 1 small meeting room
communal areas: 2 workshops (sewing rooms), 2 offices (12 m²), 3 parlors (10 m²), oratory for 35 people

the gatehouse:
areas open to public include: small meeting room, ticket office, refreshment corner, shop corner,
bioclimatic winter garden, public restrooms
administration: first aid room, office for researchers, archive (le corbusier’s work)

landscaping:
including: demolition of the existing parking lot replaced with a smaller planted parking lot, enhancement of
the ancient path leading from ronchamp up to the chapel, requalification of the entire site (clearance, planting etc)