pascale guédot wraps monolithic media library around historic walnut tree

pascale guédot wraps monolithic media library around historic walnut tree
photography by hervé abbadie
all images courtesy of pascale guédot architecte

located in the southern suburbs of paris, this stone masonry media library warps around a historic walnut tree, preserving its 100 year status. completed by pascale guédot architecte, the structure has been designed as a landmark building, which at the same time blends into the existing urban fabric.

the media library is located in the southern suburbs of paris

the médiathèque’s façade presents several folds, with each facet responding to a specific context and particular constraint. on the boulevard side, the building opens towards a landscaped mall, while in contrast, as it folds along the opposing street, the façade closes itself off with only two openings presented.

each facet of the building’s design responds to a specific context

at the rear, in the center of the city block, the elevation rotates around its anchoring point, the impressive 100 year old walnut tree. the monolithic character of the construction is reinforced by the use of a gray quartzite stone, identical on the walls and roof.

in places, the façade closes itself off with a minimum of openings presented

internally, visitors are met with a generous volume that opens towards a garden, which in the summer becomes an additional place to sit and read. a wide stairway leads to the upper level of the plan where the main reading room is housed.

the library warps around a historic walnut tree, preserving its 100 year status

a variety of reading areas are provided at ground level

visitors are met with a generous volume that opens towards the garden

 wide stairway leads to the upper level of the plan

the main reading room is flooded with natural daylight

the médiathèque and its walnut tree viewed from the rear

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