community center for the valley of herault, gignac, france by n + b architects
photos by paul koslo
all images courtesy n + b architects

located at the entrance of the town of gignac, is the community for
the valley of herault designed by n + b architects. the project consists
of numerous buildings, that form a village environment. each building has
independent access onto the garden, giving each entity its autonomy and identity.
the principal buildings are directed to the north-south in order to offer natural
ventilation. this establishment had two objectives. it aimed at protecting against
the wind of the north and sheltering the central garden. the design also aimed
at maintaining views on the tower of gignac, the pic saint baudille and the
low valley of hérault.

the building of the community of the communes is the only one that positions
itself perpendicularly to the rest of built masses.thanks to this establishment,
it marks the facade of the city and the access to the site closing again
and protecting the interior garden. their composition is relatively symmetrical,
united, modular and evolutionary. zinc, stones and concrete from the site will
be the essential materials of the construction relating to the traditional materials
used in the region.























general info
program: implementation of the economic activity zone and construction of buildings
for the community of communes valley of hérault in gignac
client: communauté de communes vallée de l’hérault
planning: n+b architectes
project manager: elodie nourrigat & jacques brion
associated architect: julien wafflart
site area: 12 020 m²
floor area: 4 450 m²
built-up area: 5 543 m²
start of planning: 10/2005
start of construction: 11/2005
completion: 02/2007
cost: 4,7m eur